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Writer's pictureBulb Culture Collective

Knoxville Drag Show by Ken Pobo

I walk to The Factory,

a gay bar. It’s Saturday,

drag night. There’s


Nancy Sinatra singing

“Sugar Town” in a blond wig,

long go go boots. Next,


Ethel Merman belts

“I’ve got rhythm. Who

could ask for more?” In ‘69,


Stonewall’s drag queens

told the cops “You can’t

treat us this way!”


Their refusal to run

freed me. So, sing out,

ladies, in low-cut gowns


and Garland wigs,

sing loud and long, sing

for those who can’t, sing


till your mascara runs

and morning stretches

sunlit arms over a waking city.


Originally published by Blue And Yellow Dog 2012


Kenneth Pobo (he/him) is the author of twenty-one chapbooks and nine full-length collections. Recent books include Bend of Quiet (Blue Light Press), Loplop in a Red City (Circling Rivers), Lilac And Sawdust (Meadowlark Press), Lavender Fire, Lavender Rose (BrickHouse Books), and Gold Bracelet in a Cave: Aunt Stokesia (Ethel Press).

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