Matthew R. Callies

A Queer\'s Defense of J. K. Rowling

I can love her books and still defend.

The fragile kids who flinch at every harm;

I will not trade one truth for trend.

The world is not a tale we neatly bend,

Nor are our bodies spells to break or charm;

I can love her books and still defend.

I know how words like Patronuses send

A silver light against a rising harm;

I will not trade one truth for trend.

I have been named a phase, a means to end;

I’ve worn the sneer, the slur, the small alarm;

I can love her books and still defend.

Yet nuance is a bridge we rarely mend;

We shout, we sort to camp and cause and arm;

I will not trade one truth for trend.

Let others choose the purity they tend;

I choose the messy work of open arm;

I can love her books and still defend,

I will not trade one truth for trend.