coded controversy was the sparkly spoon born into shamed silent mouths, shielded in rust

hidden from sun and scars, we (almost) unite. this is gay pride, this is stand by me, or,

more to the point, the baby-sitters’ club, the fuzzy femme speakeasy we dreamed

when first we tugged our cautionary sweaters over the rainbow patch on our

pants. lustful cheers, hugging mirrors, outraged objection, ointment

fly intervention are communal glue, a babel fish easing dangers,

intro for strangers.  until the journey to the cliff is waxed off

at the end, thirteen hours past your window, dregs a

shortened solo voyage back down the mountain,

like a compelling book you recited in

transnational unison but can

only reread

alone.

DEB JANNERSON is a New Orleans-based poet and author of bildungsroman fiction, queer romance, and children’s horror and sci-fi. Her book of poetry, Rabbit Rabbit, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2016. She has stories in Best Lesbian Erotica 2015, My Gay New Orleans, and the forthcoming collection Best Lesbian Erotica of the Year, Volume 1. Her new adult novella, Further, was shortlisted for the 2015 William Faulkner – Wisdom Award. Her work has been featured in over a dozen magazines, including Bitch, E·ratio, and Women’s Review of Books. Learn more on her website here and Facebook page here.