Beside the Thousand Ships
There once were times when men could hold large pride
In having sons who had as lovers men
That gods could hate and love — and take their side
In gut-strewn battle. Fathers nodded when
Their sons retired to tents and to the love
Of those divinely made, so beautiful
That poets would extol such strength above
The softnesses of women. Dutiful
To manly thighs that urge devotion to
A high-born hero, bed-mates in these times
Commanded soldiers’ reverence. These few
Like Patroklus produced loud tacit chimes
That caused the camp to shout a winked hurrah
Beyond a bride, cheers filled with manly awe.