Hollis and I
were walking through
Little Five Points
soon after we met,
back, in like, 1996.
I was Coming Out of a Marriage,
or a Closet,
I don’t remember.
Whichever,
it was Dark & Dank
IN THERE.
I looked over
and saw
a Piercing Parlor
and casually commented
that I would like
to have my Ear Pierced.
The Bitch said:
“COME ON, LET’S DO IT!”
I, not yet
on the YES SIDE of Free,
said:
“I can’t BECAUSE
I have a job,
and THEY May Fire My Ass
if I come into work
with a pierced ear”.
She snapped & snarled & said:
“THAT’S NOT WHY
YOU DON’T GET THE PIERCING,
THAT’S WHY
YOU DO GET THE PIERCING!!!
WHY WOULD YOU WANT
TO WORK AT A JOB
WITH PEOPLE
WHO DON’T ACCEPT YOU
FOR WHO YOU ARE?”
“FUCK THEM!!!” said The Bitch.
(Hollis speaks in all CAPS)
THAT Courageous,
In Your Face,
This Is Me,
Love me or Leave me
Kind of Tough Love Attitude
was OPPOSED to everything
I ever learned
in PLEASING 101,
and I got an A+
in THAT course.
I got The Piercing
THAT DAY,
which is TRITE and STUPID in itself,
but THE DECISION
to get The Piercing
opened a window
to a Fresh & Fancy,
New Way
of Living My Life.
It taught me to
Flip shit around,
Turn it upside down,
Think inside out,
Dig deep to find my authentic voice
To Be Grant Henry,
To Be Sister Louisa,
To Be The Happiest Man Alive!
Whatever YOU do,
Don’t Go Changing
to Please ME!
PLEASING 101.
FAIL THAT FUCKER.
*Sign up to get a little piece o’ her
on her website:
www.hollisgillespie.com
Get your complete place setting for $69.00 at Sister Louisa’s Church Of The Living Room! (NOT REALLY)