Don’t Be A Sexy Man

Be macho,
not too macho, but be macho
and be funny,
but appropriate. Be smart,
but not an expert, no one
likes an expert. But be smart,
from your gut,
feel it from your gut, like it
was born there; no,
your loins, rather. Feel it from your loins, and
say it like you mean it,
and be yourself. Don’t bring up
your loins.

Be yourself, be your own
man, cry if it’s about children
or your mom, or a champion, a real champion.
Be helpful, be kind, be
generous, be protective and be strong,
and be honest. Be handsome.
	Take care of yourself, but
not obsessively,
but enough, you know. Look good.

Just don’t be sexy,
don’t be sexy,
unless you’re giving it
to somebody, of course. I mean, if you’re really
giving it to someone, like a champion. But
generally,
keep that to yourself, don’t be sexy,
don’t be slinky,
don’t primp and don’t pretend
and get to the work of being a man.

Be ready.
Be hard. In the correct context. Dance,
only if you are incredibly gifted at it.
Be incredibly gifted,
and relaxed,
but not sexy.
Don’t be sexy.

*Originally published January 2024 in Beyond Queer Words, 5th edition. An international collection of poetry and art. Get your own copy from Beyond Queer Words now!