some boys never become men

they used to play marbles and now they play markets

they think of sex as conquest

income as “fuck-you money”

and the poor as annoyances as best and barbarians at their gates otherwise

their neverland is gimmegimmegimmeville

and they daydream of centerfold pleasure even as their own skin sags and mottles

and many of them die as ancient boys

still lusting

still hurting

still baffled