Sitting by the lake
everything is in stillness,
   even my self, sleeps

I was sitting by the lake
when Penelope called me earlier today
about her wedding plans, then asked
if I was aware of myself as ZZ.
Aware of myself?  Not really, but then
yes, maybe I am. Could that be the answer?
I don’t know.
Is her beautiful soon-to-be husband,
Narayan, aware that he’s darker than
most African-Americans?  Are people in
wheelchairs aware of themselves?
Of course, but not in a philosophical way,
only in a I’m trying to live my life way.
Penelope said I didn’t understand.
I said after living with a man in the navy,
the Aids epidemic, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,
gay marriage and all its push back,
I understood what it’s like not
to be able to openly live as you are.
I told Penelope I joined the navy
because of Popeye,
he’s been saying
I yam what I yam
since about the time I was born.

                              His/her wedding day
                        has the color dragonfly.
                           Mauve would not be right.