Half unmanned while young
by a misadventure,
I have shoved my way through —
surly, highly aware, knowing
that one deft blow
to my remaining grape
might change everything again;
the first blow left me childless,
a second might leave me
with nothing at all.
Since then I’ve covered up, walked tight,
faked more man than I felt;
packed heat, packed a knife,
packed it in and away and off to safety.
Come for me knowing you will not get
one whole man. You’ll end up with half
and a machine, one built to run
on loss and fury;
one built to fight back, posture
and roar like a warrior, a man
with everything in place. (And even as
I say that, I know how much more
is missing from me
than is missing from my body.)
Dark Matter 
March 12th, 2012 at 2:48 pm
“Come for me knowing you will not get /
one whole man. You will end up with /
half and a machine.”
I like this.
March 12th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
Thank you.
March 12th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
A powerful and courageous piece. Less of a man could not have written this.
March 12th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Not entirely autobiographical, but…enough. Thanks.