I Must Become a Menace to My Enemies

if you believe me to be your enemy know this I accept

I Must Become a Menace to My Enemies

      after June Jordan

I am the least inimical thing on the wide promenades of Nagoya
kissing my lover in rush hour even the dead do not give a damn

imagine no one thinking our bodies were damaged dangerous
delirious I hold his hand never thinking I would

morning washed down the face of the buildings
like a blind man shaving rusty puddles and sunshine

in front of the starbucks and I am become the action of my fate
content with the minute rebellion of living comrade

if you believe me to be your enemy know this I accept
terrible revenge in merciless clots of love

blossoming by daylight fragrant by night if the knot
of our bodies is a burden know this you are burdened alone

in the wilds of our joy hunted by a kiss an animal frothed
I have not threatened your soft moments and yet you are threatened