for Rocky

Leather strapped, maxed 

to alpha, the omega 

of all America could ever hope 

to be, Cap, father 

in tight leather, fashing blues

and stars and bars 

like it was a promise

of justice, and not 

the teeth of the state. Who cannot admire 

a nation’s strength 

and grace? Steve Rogers,

his bulk against your warm body, 

his hands on your body, suppressing 

breath, movement, silencing 

every inch of your voice, every inch 

of your threat, Cap, leather strapped,

maxed and shielded against

his own violence, pressing

against the emptiness

that comes with being powerless

to the will of a nation,

Cap, will come 

for you. How will you 

say no?

---

Cassandra Whitaker (they/them) is a trans writer from Virginia. Their work has been published in or is forthcoming in Barrelhouse, Hobart, The Little Patuxent Review, Foglifter, Evergreen Review, The Comstock Review, The Rumpus, and other places. They are a member of the National Book Critics Circle.

Tw: @wattersoncass