the same week
my neighbor calls my partner and I faggots
I start weightlifting again

it thinks it's a boy!

that's his defense
for when his friend
admonishes him.

as if to say: of course
I called them faggots! what else
could I reasonably do, upon seeing
two faggots carrying groceries
into their home?

no different from how
a toddler might yell BIRD!
while pointing at a bird.

I exhale, and push
my fists toward the sky
as heavy takes on
new meaning.