Memorial Day is for us, too.
Ezekiel Krahlin
If you are lesbian or gay, and were in the military, or have a
loved one who was (or is), then Memorial Day may have a special
meaning in your heart. Likewise for those attuned to the bittersweet
spirit of veterans of war...as we, by virtue of social oppression, are
all veterans of a war that has raged for centuries.
Anyway, if you care to care to dedicate some thoughts,
prayers, or activities on behalf of remembering our own lesbian/gay
veterans...I urge you not to keep silent (that is, do not stay in the
closet) about expressing some way to recognize Memorial Day. Indeed,
not every gay person you meet will belittle and demean you for caring
about our war veterans. And so what if they do? Certainly, the
experience of constant defilement and hatred by society at large, by
virtue of our homosexuality, should long ago have taught us not to be
discouraged by the black arts that so many "modern" people practice!
If you find it difficult to express Memorial Day in your own
particular manner, as a gay man or woman...then perhaps you'd enjoy
studying that section of my web site entitled, "The Somalian Affair."
It is the trues story of when I sent gift packets to our Marines in
Somalia, addressing them as a gay rights activist, in full support of
their peacetime mission. This adventure I performed in memory of my
lover, Randolph, who had recently died, who was a Marine himself, and
a Vietnam Veteran. Included in this section are news articles about
Randolph, and his courageous 40-day fast in 1984 on behalf of Vietnam
Veterans. Randy was also a gay rights activist. Here is the web page
for "The Somalian Affair":
http://www.wired2.net/ezekielk/somalia.htm
However, I can suggest other ways gay people can celebrate
Memorial Day with dignity. Seek out one of those aging veterans you
see in neighborhoods selling poppies for our disabled veterans. And
instead of just walking by oblivious to her or him (even scornfully,
perhaps)...stop and say, "Oh, I would love to buy a poppy. Thank you
so much for being here. Memorial Day is so important to me."
Exchange some kind words with him or her, and you'll be a better
person for the light of another's smile.
You can also tell your gay friends why Memorial Day is
important, that war and peace are not such simple issues, and the
reasons one may love a veteran--though be against war--are many and
varied.
At any rate, there are numerous ways those of us who care, can
instill the warm memories of our veterans from our own distinctive
perspectives as Hellenes.
I close with a poem to honor our own Lesbian and Thracian
Veterans:
AGENT ORANGE JULIUS
copyright 1997 by Ezekiel J. Krahlin
i expect you to suddenly
reappear
like a friendly ghost
into my arms
neon kisses
gentle embrace
hands sweetly touching
at any moment
sitting waiting for me
over an avocado omelette
i enter and stumble all over you
i am so hungry
metal utensils pushed by happy elbows
clatter to the floor
a-harmonic chimes
merry wedding bells
joyful tears caresses
thank god thank god thank god
i taste your sweet saliva
illuminating a forkful of omelette
silver/yellow/green
radioactive love!
that you press upon my tongue
i sigh over a plate
of french fries
the coffee
bitter
like my heart
my room
the building in which i live
hollow
like my heart
the streets
the people
the city
frigid
like my heart
oh brother of the lion heart
i wanted to
be your androcles
remove the bitter thorn
of viet nam
-----finis
---
My web site kicks (but never licks) butt!
http://www.wired2.net/ezekielk/
mailto:ejkr...@juno.com