Sara Hardy Writes

  This poem plays off Gertrude Stein's codes for making love with Alice B Toklas ('cow' and 'button'); it also gives a nod to Joelle Taylor's raunchy yet fragile depiction of dykes in bars. See book references at the end. The Tender Button Bar   - by Sara Hardy   Two wives walk into a bar Hand in hand     speaking their day with word play yoo hoo coo hoo woo hoo      tending their intention      with finger-press and word-caress                        understanding   * Bois boys girls girrls other other          highlight their faces and find their places      moving through the bar King of spades Queen of clubs Ring of diamonds Jack of all trades          bruise or amuse   as   they     rend & mend    rend & mend      each other’s hearts   * A butch lesbian walks into the bar buttoned waistcoat    black tie sharp    blue sky shirt    jacket with a pocket full of secrets:      notes on existence & resistance