Crudity

From Memphis with Love . . .

Crude is the word, is the word, is the word

“It’s got groove, it’s got meaning.”

Last night, we sat side by side

eating dried mango slices

watching John Travolta dance

in that way only he can.

I have waited for the day

when you would be old enough

to test,

wondering if you would get it,

if you would see the world the way I do.

If you would walk that subtle line

where crudity would sometimes make you laugh

because laughing at our flaws lightens

the burden, strengthens us to be better people.

And other times, if crudity would disappoint you,

even as you tried to understand it and let it point you

towards a better way.

As we watched the story unfold,

I listened to your laugh, heard your critiques

and watched you parse the beauty and

ugliness,

your recognition of Heaven and smut bound in our DNA.