Marry Me

I’ve jumped brooms

in my blood

before I was me,

and now that I am,

I still can't be free.

As I travel on

I need you to see

I'm walking these streets

an invisible me,

a second class citizen

who wants to be free.

‘Though death do us part

you won't marry me.

I’m a slave to a system

We all know so well.

My ego's still smarting

From Don't ask, Don't tell.

I can't be in love,

I've no license to be.

Though I say “I do”,

you won't marry me.

We’ve been to the mountain top

Climbed to be free.

We’ve played by the rules

Of the Democracy.

We will ask!

We will tell!

We will march and raise hell!

We’ll riot and picket,

We’ll strike and rebel!

We’ll demand equal rights!

We’ll demand to be free!

By the time we have finished,

You will marry me!

I have dreams like my neighbors

Of settling down

Of snow days

And school plays

Of birthdays with clowns.

Of laughter filled evenings,

My family and me—

Of my happy ending

When you marry me.

©2013 Cedric L. Jones

(from the upcoming poetry book We the People)

"The Future" taken at 2011 NYC Heritage of Pride 

©2013 Cedric L. Jones