Past Tense

Andrew Anthos
1935-2007

he said yes
riding a Detroit city bus
he said yes
on his way home
he said yes
before the metal pipe struck his skull
he said yes
before the beating
he said yes
for you
he said yes
for me
he said yes
for our identity, his identity
he said yes
for this country, his country
he said yes
for the red white and blue
he said yes
for the Greek in him
he said yes
for the African-American in him
he said yes
for Detroit
he said yes
for Michigan
he said yes
to a face full of hate
he said yes
to the question
are you gay?
he said yes
he said yes
he said yes
he said yes

February 27, 2007

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