Masculinity Redux

The art of the man
is in his bearing and his demeanor
not through so much in the strength of his fist
but in the tenderness of his caress
and the tone of his voice
His commands remain subliminal to all
but to the object of his desire
the echo within her heart
as intentions and unstated promises
In this his masculinity is defined
not in his outer being
but in her inner reflections
and he sees himself in her
by her own actions towards him
and in the windows of her eyes
And he rejoices in this
for in his compassion for her
his passion finds root
And the solitude parts
and his future lies before him
defined as two and not one
This is the celebration of his being
the moment when self interest gives
way to mutual fulfillment
This is what makes the man.