The Distant Moon I Admitted to the hospital again. The second bout of pneumocystis back In January almost killed him; then, Hed sworn to us hed die at home. He baked Us cookies, which the student wouldnt eat, Before he left--the kitchen on 5A Is small, but serviceable and neat. He told me stories: Richard Gere was gay And sleeping with a friend if his, and AIDS Was an elaborate conspiracy Effected by the government. He stayed Four months. He lost his sight to CMV. II One day, I drew his blood, and while I did He laughed, and said I was his girlfriend now, His blood-brother. Vampire-slut, he cried, Youll make me live forever! Wrinkled brows Were all I managed in reply. I know Im drowning in his blood, his purple blood. I filled my seven tubes; the warmth was slow To leave them, pressed inside my palm. Im sad Because he doesnt see my face. Because I cant identify with him. I hate The fact that hes my age, and that across My skin hes there, my blood-brother, my mate. III He said I was too nice, and after all If Jodie Foster was a lesbian, Then doctors could be queer. Residual Guilts tingled down my spine. OK, Im done, I said as I withdrew the needle from His back, and pressed. The CSF was clear; I never answered him. That spot was framed In sterile, paper drapes. He was so near Death, telling him seemed pointless. Then, he died. Unrecognizable to anyone But me, he left my needles deep inside His joking heart. An autopsy was done. IV Id read to him at night. His horoscope, The New York Times, The Advocate; Some lines by Richard Howard gave us hope. A quiet hospital is infinite, The polished, ice-white floors, the darkened halls That lead to almost anywhere, to death Or ghostly, lighted Coke machines. I call To him one night, at home, asleep. His breath, I dreamed, had filled my lungs--his lips, my lips Had touched. I felt as though Id touched a shrine. Not disrespectfully, but in some lapse Of concentration. In a mirror shines The distant moon. -Rafael Campo
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 17:16:00 +0000
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