In Various Lights

A shadow is a young man who’s exposed

To certain types of light.  These vary.  Some

Are megawatt demands that are composed

By all the males around, his manly scrum.

No wonder he’s diminished in this crowd.

The light of women also takes its toll.

They want him manly, too, but not so loud

In masculinity.  Cock for a hole,

Well, yes, but please no hairiness of backs

And surely no bad smells!  Let’s have Romance!

Society’s harsh beams shout, “Pay your tax,

Your alimony, empty out your pants!”

Lights make the shadow lean from night till morn

      Towards computer games and well-lit porn.

 ~ Phillip Whidden