Shoulders of Shame

Alone, this world
man
so alone
that he even perceives it at all
renders him so
alone
among much
and I,
also a man
also perceiving it
also the loneliest of all
and most acquainted with its mouth of many ills.

To relieve
no length
will man
no length
nor distance far
nor evil ill
will he willing
be so willing
for one night
just one night
of naked touch
naked cloth,
naked armor,
thought,
lie,
pretense,
with only fear,
humiliation,
and emasculation to drape
the bones his purple robe
grim shoulders of shame.