And Be Counted

Admit without demurrer denial or apology

his own true nature

and he is Damned!

I've seen them put down pushed into the streets out of their houses out of their homes out of their pockets

out of their minds

into the gutters

shoved hard in the face

strong armed

into their graves

flung for experimentation

in asylums herded into jails.

expunged of all worldly goods

cursed and damned never thanked

for graces or services...

they've died in wars and served their country too you know! and they've come back

to the same old brutality and lies

to suffer

stripped of all pride

to live their daily lives

in constant jeopardy

and fear

to be denied the simple human pleasure

of friend or family

to skulk in secrecy

and tremble at every knock

upon their door...

Forced to live

disreputable lives without honor

Respectability or Grace

of simple honesty . . . Dependant on crumbs

of understanding from all too few

the merciful...

My God! What Valor! that they live at all!

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