exhibition seen

the unassuming exhibitionist
turns his body to light
gets held by gazes so intently
that he tries to stretch out of recognition
into darkness,
wherever he feels would safely
place him out of harm's ray

his tentative avoidance
becomes his song and dance
and people relish the glide of his feet
inhale the afterglow
of his unintentional smiles
his thoughtfullnees morphs into a mean-mugg
they say it is sexy
though he has never longed to be
just needed and cherished

a baritone, his curse given at birth
forshawdowing that he'd never experience
childhood
yet seductive
so people lick their lips
(and he pretends not to see them)
and people dream him into their bodies
with their eyes
(and sometimes, he dreams with them)

and while he often does not like it
he has come to recognize
what it means to be annointed
with the gift
of moonlight
of a body that in its robust imperfection
is perfect to watch...
shift, glow, rise, and disappear

and so he spins back into night light
realizing this has been his calling
and they wonder
if his touch would be as beautiful
as this exhibition thing he does
on stages or in grocery stores
while he wonders
if a body of art
can be loved
as passionately as it is so highly
appraised