Manatomy by James McDermott

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This collection is excellent – James provides such an authentic voice to the experience of being a gay man in our culture – the ways that toxic masculinity traps us, locking down the range of expression that is allowed, forcing you if you what to be different to do so irrevocably.

I share 2 poems, but I could probably copy out the whole book...

I was raised on James Bond films

I was raised on James Bond films.

Connery taught me

men drink a lot;

men don’t cry;

men have lots of sex;

men fight;

men slap women on the arse.

I was raised on James Bond films.

Lazenby taugth me

men get married;

men don’t cry;

men have their voices dubbed;

men fight;

men lose their wives.

I was raised on James Bond films.

Moore taught me

men wear suits;

men don’t cry;

men hide emotions behind humour;

men fight;

men should not wear flares.

I was raised on James Bond films.

Dalton taught me

men bear grudges;

men don’t cry;

men don’t have friendships;

men fight;

men don’t stick around.

I was raised on James Bond films.

Brosnan taught me

men gamble;

men don’t cry;

men live to work and win;

men fight;

men only see women as conquests or rivals.

I was raised on James Bond films.

Craig taught me

men are muscly;

men don’t cry;

men get hurt if they fall in love;

men fight;

men need to look good in Speedos.

I was raised on James Bond films.

Hook up

We swipe right.

Meet that night.

And we suck. And we fuck.

As we do, I love you. When it’s done, my love’s gone.

That was great… but it’s late. Then you say, Can I stay?

So I say, You can stay. And a part of my heart

prays you would stay for good. As you smoke, tell my jokes.

The patter. Then chatter. Then secrets. We connect.

Holding hands, we make plans. My heart says you will stay.

My heart prays you will stay. My head rests on your chest.

And I beam. And I dream.

Wake at dawn.

You are gone.