We are swine, wild boars among the bluegrass

and salt-stained rocks. We are bitches, each teat

engorged, each rump distended. We are sass

and rage. Each foul word you use to mistreat

others — fucktard, ignoramus, nitwit —

that is us, too. Why does liberation

for you crave vile behavior? I’m unfit

to judge, clearly. Still, I love my cousin

even if my cousin doesn’t love me.

Today’s rebel is tomorrow’s tyrant

without this connection, without these ties

to each other that make us family.

We own the words that you use: faggot, cunt,

‘tard. So we defy you. We love. We rise.