Beginning Middle Man. Its poetry is surprisingly straightforward, honest and strong, adult without apology. All gay-eros, all the time, a way of remaining true to what I've understood since I was 17: if we're not talking about sex, then we're not talking about ourselves. These poems are like most men I know and love, rough around the edges and awkward in the extreme. But, still, beautiful. Something like this: I don't smell like soap. / I smell like whore / steam / motel carpet / beer, / not imported, domestic, / and stand a man / to watch you walk in. "Un-washed." If you like honesty, and find men who don't care what people think really worth your time, you'll like these poems.