WHEN THE DENTIST SPOKE
 AT THE ANTI-WAR RALLY

We had a dentist speak
At the anti-war rally 
We organized, we young men
Home from college in the summer of '68, 
Trying to legitimize ourselves
In the eyes of our parents
Even as we turned activist.

We held a car wash
To raise funds.
When I wrote articles
About the war, I quoted
Businessmen, as though 
They were the real gauge 
Of decent humanity.

I grew my hair a little, 
And for a few months once
Had a stubble beard, till
Till my cousin spat 
Venom at me in the hospital
Waiting room just before 
Grandpa died, with the words
'You look like a fairy! '

Mother said that summer, 
'I don't care what you do, 
As long as you don't 
Look like what you are! '
I still wonder what she meant.