Too Many Judges in this Courtroom (Louis Toliver Jr-Swartz, LA)

When the gossip settles

What truth is left?

What makes a person so self-righteous

To make a laundry list of your life actions?

Boredom

Misery

I don’t think you should be worried

Those you’ve trusted

Sitting on your jury

But not to come to your defense

Isn’t that enough evidence to live you own life?

No matter how many lives you save

There will always those waiting to point out who you didn’t save

Don’t let yourself me judged

Just change the conversation

And move on

There are so many people in your life that know YOU

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Ash Wednesday (Brian Falcon - New Orleans, LA)

It’s forgettable- the number of times I was called a “fucking faggot” as a kid. As a former child of god, I wasn’t expected to know what those words meant. I was taught that repentance was vital to achieving everlasting life. My momma made me go to church every Sunday. I said my prayers as I was told. But I eventually learned that Catholicism was never my sanctuary. Christianity was never my safe-haven. God never stopped the cheap shots. He never once prevented the harassment or pure embarrassment that I felt from the words of my “kin in Christ.” Now, picture me- a helpless faggot, blinded by the incandescent lights of an old catholic church. I was home from college spending Spring Break in my former hellscape. So, naturally, my momma yet again made me go to church. This time, on a Wednesday. It was Ash Wednesday. When I was among the folks from home, I felt out of place. So much that I’d imagine camouflaging myself. Like saber-tooth in hiding. But the difference? I had a far mo...

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