Masculinity I learned its meaning from my mother. Warm              like the compress      I steadied      against her stoma. Gentle             exertion      as I attached      her colostomy bag.  Reassuring      eye contact      when she apologized      “for this god-awful mess.” Ready              to remind her:      the countless times      she changed me      as a child. Grateful          to mine affection      wherever      it might be found. Parade My father built a cage for me:two-by-fours jerry-riggedto a neighbor’s rusty flatbed,my sister trimming it with streamers—blue and … Continue reading Four Poems