The guidelines say
who and how we may love
what we might say
what a woman should be
all autonomy
unless she should desire to reject
the rigid role of dutiful wife and sell her appeal for a buck tucked under string
because the guidelines tell us exactly how we are to be free
and the guidelines say
how we should pray
and who we obey
and how it’s okay
to have our own way
as long as we stay
within God We Trust
and celebrate the holy day
of gingerbread men and candy canes
and the guidelines say
on whom we may prey
and whom to blame
when there’s sickness or disease
or murder or pain
and the guidelines say
how much a criminal should pay
and to whom he should write the check
and the guidelines say
we may tweak the guidelines
for those who are close
as long as no one knows.