The last one thinks of, yet the most
Important ‒ the blind use it to feel
Bumps in the pavement, and the
Deaf are tapped on the shoulder
To get their attention.

Because of texture and good company,
The absence of smell and taste don’t
Ruin a good meal.

As infants we survive by being
Touched ‒ love is given by both
Parents, whose skin is recognized
As the warmth it provides.

When we grow ‒ the pubescent years
And beyond ‒ girls still whisper, kiss
And touch each other as signs of
Affection.

Boys grow up touch-deprived ‒ what
Makes them different? ‒ Male fears
That men don’t touch because that’s
A sign of being queer?  Likely.

Sure, guys touch ‒ slaps on the ****
Playing sports, the snapping of
Towels in the shower room ‒ nothing
Gay about that!

Or is this sudden lack of tactile affect
A sign of maleness?  If so, we wouldn’t
Shake hands ‒ or high-five or hug our
Brothers and best friends.

Consider the massage ‒ visiting the
Parlor run by Asian ladies, which for
A 20-spot more brings a blow-job ‒
But answer an ad for online service
From a guy, and NOPE, not me!

Not unless of course the wife
Doesn’t put out no more or is
Sick ‒ then any excuse works.
But, that doesn’t mean I’m….

No, dude, it doesn’t, but any
Port in a storm ‒ we all know
What sailors do when at sea for
Months, or do we?

Maybe it’s just American men
Who are hung up ‒ The French
And Italians don’t seem to be
Paranoid, and Russian men are
Said to kiss each other on the lips!

So, maybe our psyches could use
A tune-up ‒ a lesson from a wise
And happy soccer player/philosopher ‒
“If it feels good, and doesn’t hurt
Anybody, do it!”  

*© Lewis Bosworth, 12/2016