The Tender Button Bar - a queer poem by Sara Hardy
![Image](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIa6sUdFByP37eRQDbOPtB9BK_uHRgiQ847PG_Dcrn8r9jGQL-GpbLgP0wo7xQcOvPRxNYZ7SUleJelxVHz33l2GU02Aeu7-YbiRXSVZhGJfoZZJVi-ev2RhkUlibV1oAJo1EZ7tObY0r9z1E6V6Orqwh67yKT-0S6CoWozIg1pwQ1waIXafGlTzq7A/w149-h149/black-button-1584891.jpg)
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