Hello

The dogs start yapping

before the doorbell even rings

I open it 

about a foot

and there they are

the elders

twin penguins

(minus the tux jackets)

standing at attention on my doorstep

hair neatly combed

smiles in place

Bibles in hand

and I think

Damn why didn't I look out the peephole first?

Hello

We'd like to talk to you about

why out god is better than your god

why our church is better than your church

(oh, you don't go to church? 

well, maybe you'd like to visit ours!)

why you should believe what we believe

why you will burn in hell if you don't

why

why 

why

Why didn't I look through that damn peephole?

I send them away

and toss their tracts on top of the newspaper

Headlines 

shout 

religion and politics

politics and religion

and when did this country become

a theocracy anyway?

Those who don't fit 

better get with the Christian agenda real quick

cause the men are coming

with their probes

(if I'd wanted the government up my cunt

I would have fucked a bureaucrat)

and I have no need 

to be born again

cause I was born just right 

the first time, thank you

So maybe I'll just hide here

behind my door

and be sure

to check to damn peephole

and not open it

until Santorum 

is a dirty word again.

submitted for Fireblossom Friday #4, Imaginary Garden With Real Toads

World AIDS Day

image source

My friend has AIDS and I'm angry. I'm angry that everywhere I go, I don't see mugs, cereal boxes, T-shirts, pins, hats, and even cookies with red ribbons on them like I did in October with the pink breast cancer ribbons. I'm angry that corporate America is too afraid of tarnishing their precious images to put big bucks into HIV/AIDS research and prevention. I'm angry that millions of people still don't have adequate healthcare, still don't know their HIV status, and can't afford their medications when they need them. I'm angry that although we know that condoms can help prevent the spread of HIV infection, there are still people who vote down sex education in the schools. I'm angry that there are people who call themselves Christians who believe that AIDS is a punishment sent by God for immoral behavior and who sully the name of true Christians. I'm angry that so many people think that since they don't hear about AIDS deaths on the news every day, there isn't a problem any longer.

AIDS is still here. There is still no cure. Treatment has advanced, but medications are very expensive and have devastating side-effects. They are not effective for everyone. It's World AIDS Day Today. Remember those who are still living with this disease. Viruses don't discriminate.

(Rabbit-You are an inspiration to me in every respect. Keep kickin' virus butt, love!)