Gay poem (long read)
Man
I’ll be the man you want of me,
When you decide it for yourself.
I’d give you heaven and the sea,
To put my world upon your shelf.
I cannot promise to be perfect,
If "perfect" isn't what you see;
I cannot claim to be your man,
Unless you want the man in me.
I wouldn’t care if I lost all,
As long as I had you to hold.
You took a piece of me—now small—
To build a space against the cold.
A space between the hands of time,
Where you can stay and be at rest;
I’d give you space and stars that climb,
And make that place your very best.
I’d go your pace, through fast or slow,
I’d be your side when things get rough.
I’d be the man you want to know—
If only you wanted one enough.
Because I’ve always been the one,
Who gives and listens, never takes;
But looking back at what I’ve done,
That was the first of my mistakes.
I never said what I desired,
Until the point you felt misled.
I dread to say my soul was fired,
By love for one I’ve come to dread.
I fell for one I can’t suffice,
For I am not what he demands;
I won’t be what he wants—the price
Is changing who I am, by hand.
I bled in red, while I pled grace,
But all my errors testified.
And now, my judge, I watch your face,
To see if I have lived or died.
For you, my sun, are all I fear,
The only one who makes me whole;
If not for you, I’d not be here,
The one who finally read my soul.
You read me like an open book,
But missed the print upon the back.
Or maybe you just wouldn't look,
Despite the vision you don't lack.
You saw my love and played the part,
With little hints and games of art;
It never fit, it felt so wrong,
But still, I let you lead me on.
So be a man, and walk away,
I’ve nothing left that I can say.
I cannot stand to watch the stir,
Of seeing you go home to her.