Tiara
One time I think
I did pop on a tiara
Of plastic or shiny metal
With lots of rhinestones
It wasn’t “mine” of course
Boys don’t have tiaras
But still it was something to try
Maybe to be silly
Or maybe to wonder
What it felt like
When no one was looking.
And then I put it back
To whomever or whatever
It belonged to
Silly no more.
I wonder if I ever kept
The feelings
Of Queen for a day
Or was too scared
To take off the suit
Even at age 5 or 6.
—Alan Kleiman, New York, NY
