Special Interests Poem by Glen Martin Fitch

I expect to play and sleep
and without fear.
At night to not feel nervous
when I walk.
To pass a group of teens and
not hear 'Queer, '
To wed
and not change pronouns
when I talk.
To not have landlords
not return my calls.
And I don't want a nurse
to block my way.
Look down,
avoiding kids
I know at malls,
or not get hired
just because I'm gay.
I'd like to think
my neighbors value me,
that I'm unique,
acknowledge what I do,
to feel I'm part
of our community.
Yes, these are what I want.
I ask: 'Don't you? '
But most I want and kiss him
when we greet and
hold his hand
while strolling
down the street.