Studying the Church Fathers
His hair and whiskers, eyebrows tend towards black,
Those bristles near his mouth and then along
His forearms close. He scratches at his back,
Perhaps a pimple. No sonnet or song
Will ever praise his manly beauty. Lo!
Just some imperfections here and there,
Thin chest and pretty lips, thick hips—these throw
His maleness into heresy. He’ll share
His scholarship in bearded sermons; hence,
His machoness will then be magnified.
His nose-strong profile, joined with eloquence,
Will make slim mouth grow full, small shoulders wide.
Parishoners will hear his saint-filled head.
He won’t have trouble taking them to bed.