"Manuel"
In trauma one, a gay Latino kid--
I think he is 17.
-- is getting tubed for respiratory failure.
Sleeping pills and Tylenol, I translated for him
as he was wheeled in.
His novio explained that, when he told his folks about it all,
they threw him out like trash.
They lived together underneath the overpass of Highway 101
for seven weeks.
The stars obstructed from their view.
For cash, they sucked off older men in Cadillacs.
A viejita from the neighborhood brought tacos to them,
secretly.
Last night, with 18 wheelers roaring overhead,
he whispered that he'd lost his will to live.
He pawned his crucifix to get the pills.