Tara bleeds ashes

branded Thomas Anthony Rampersant  
resurrected as Tara

Diva.

born of the old south
i could not rise
from the shackles and sermons
that cursed me

my body was carved
long
lean
and luxurious
working the shrimp boats
in the harbor
from age 9

while friends and brothers
suckled on beer and football
from sunrise until dying day

i watched Ginger and Fred
in gramma's trailer
a 13 inch world
set on her kitchenette table

but Tara burned

emancipated in the north
through lessons at Ailey's

yet I was never good enough
for the company

but I had to eat, so

I danced for women
I danced for men
both wanted the same thing
but men paid better

and promised even more

though many hid in the same lie
I once did

they were your

brothers
fathers
husbands
lovers

and for three minutes in a darkened corner
their throbbing indignation
was set free against me

within me
within him

Im no longer a PYT
just another old bitch
who needs his ART

But I still dance
as Tara
Drag Queen supreme

Some nights I'm Diana
Other nights Patti

But I cherish my volunteer work
at the senior center most

where gramma spent her best last days

In full drag
I waltz with those old men
who remember Ginger and Fred too





*ART - HIV treatment,  also called antiretroviral treatment (ART)