It's okay for him to be gay they say As long as he doesn't flaunt it As long as he doesn't hold hands With any man In prayer Or kiss Anything but the good book God loves you as you are they say in verse Then turn to each other The whispers that aren't whispers Circulate the pews The chorus of their hymn Lists a dozen other things wrong with him Just before they share communion Hungry for a crucifixion On the night that he was betrayed Jesus took bread and broke it But this is my body and not your bread I say My attractiveness offends them with the good news I carry in my eyes, my lips, and toes And I go from the altar to the door Shake the dust of my heels And sing a raucous number for the world - R.R. Tavárez