propriety

  It would be 
       more acceptable

to speak of

        the long nights
              downing coffee, black
      or brandy
          on the rocks, 

 the days spent 
        skipping showers, 
   shaving, 
        and clothing, 

        running around the 
              house
       in my underwear 
      
  baring every tattoo
                   and freckle,

  or surviving 
       on a diet 
of bread and almonds
       for weeks

   all for the sake of my craft


had I only been born 

a man.