Ken Pobo

Turned

Last year we listened often
to the Strawberry Alarm Clock,
had intense conversations about
the meaning of “Sit With Guru,”

and got naked. I didn’t ask you to,
but I didn’t mind it, not at all. Now
you say that I “turned” you gay.
Do you want to return to the floating
pillow of your straight life, sliding
above local roofs? How odd to think

of sexuality as a road
when the turn comes up quickly,
you just make it, a relief
as you don’t want to miss Uncle Van’s
75th birthday shindig, he’d pout,
and you don’t like to disappoint.

You didn’t get turned around--
you released your truth genie
that you kept tight in the bottle.
The alarm clock rings. You get up,
shower--a lavender sun
opens your window and warms
your cold floor.