"In Praise of Young Men"

[Rowdyboy]

During this past month I've been lucky enough to enjoy the company of quite a few fabulous young men-some straight, some gay, and some I'm not quite certain. All of them were a delight to experience because of their energy, their passion, intelligence, and stingingly sharp wit (the youngest was 23-I'm a lecher, not a perv)

Now I'm 50, with nearly 16 years invested in a relationship with a man I adore, but DAMN, guys in their 20's are incredibly (and edibly) sexy. They walk like they own the world, musky sexuality dripping off them, radiating even when they're not aware, exuberant in their manliness. They are intoxicating and highly addictive and THEY SMELL SO DAMN GOOD!!!

To steal a phrase from Miss Eudora Welty, "Couldn't you just eat 'em with a spoon?" What I wouldn't give to be 20 years younger-even if just for a few days!

So to all you young guys, when you're at the mall and you catch that old dude glancing at you, rest assured its no accident. He's probably just imagining all the ways he.....well, enough of that.

Thanks, guys, for making the holidays so much brighter!

I close with a piece of poetry from Hafiz-i-Shirazi, a 14th century Sufi poet...

"His mop of hair tangled, sweating, laughing and drunk
Shirt torn, singing poems, flask in hand
His eyes spoiling for a fight, his lips mouthing "Alas!"
Last night at midnight he came and sat by my pillow.
He bent his head to my ear and said sadly,
"O, my ancient lover are you sleeping?"

"The seeker to whom they give such a cup at dawn
is an infidel to love if he does not worship the wine.
O hermit, go and do not quibble with those who drink the dregs.
For, on the eve of creation, this was all they gave to us.
What he poured in our cup, we drank,
Whether the mead of heaven, or the wine of drunkenness.

"The cup's smile and the wine boys knotted curl
have broken many vows of chastity, like that of Hafiz.

(((sigh.......)))

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Ah, Hafiz!

The mystical poet-amazing, isn't it, how Love shows his many faces?

[xchrom]

2. i enjoy the company of young men

glad to hear some one else echo their delicious aroma.
i had an affair with a lad not so long ago who didn't wear deodorant -- perfectly clean and showered all the time, i might add.
and it was one of the most erotic things about him.
it's the thing i remember viscerally the most.
i love their energy and and their minds -- they are so beautifully adept.
the other hall mark different from my very young years -- is that so many identify as ''straight'' but are having cross over sexual adventures because they are fun.
there's none of the weirdness and guilt associated with that marked my youth.
i love that!

[ronnykmarshall]

5. Is it getting hot in here?

:evilgrin:

[xchrom]

7. i hope so -- it's cold and rainy here.

[renaissanceguy]

3. You guys offer an interesting perspective.

As a young guy myself, I think that guys around my age are typically slutty, anorexic idiots with the mentality of wallpaper paste. I wouldn't touch most of them with a ten foot pole.

I'm not saying that there aren't well-mannered, more sophisticated younger guys. But a majority of guys I have met over time are good for nothing but a quick fuck.

What's your perspective on older guys?

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http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.15011519

[Rowdyboy]

4. One of the young men I refer to echoed your assessment of his

contemporaries. He was 26 and had just been ditched after a two year relationship. Apparently he discovered there had been cheating from the beginning and he was still very bitter. Said he would never even date anyone younger than himself again.

As to older men, they have their own pluses and minuses. They're far more stable, usually have jobs and incomes, and are more patient. Frequency of passion becomes less important than quality. You learn to value taking your time because quality beats quantity EVERY time. Many older men are more secretive though. Most grew up in circumstances that forced them to hide and they can carry it over into relationships. One definite plus to being in a long-term relationship is my partner and I can't lie to each other. He knows me so well that he can tell when I'm holding anything back and vice-versa. I don't even try anymore.

In the end, I think most guys are happier long-term with someone near their own age, someone with whom they share common cultural experiences and values. After all, you going to need something to talk about after you get out of bed.

That said, one of my best friends who's about 50 has had a 23 year old partner for nearly 2 years now. They appear to dote on each other and I've never seen the older one any happier. When I was in my late 20's I had an affair with a man in his late 50's who had the body and stamina to match a man 1/2 his age.

My guy and I mostly just look, talk and imagine. Cute and attentive waiters can expect a 25% tip. And, no, I wouldn't trade him in for 2 25 year olds even if I could-though I'd love to borrow them for an afternoon.

And, remember, everything I've said is generalities. I certainly don't speak for a generation, just one small part of one.

[xchrom]

6. everybody is different.

i don't prefer one age group over than another.
young men are jerks -- so are older guys.
and they don't necessarily come in larger numbers in one group than the other.
if you're{not you personally} consistently meeting jerks -- the perhaps the issue is with you rather than them.
also it's important to remember - - it's men x's 2.
gay, bi, questing and every other kind of guy comes with all attributes of maleness -- competitiveness, intimacy problems, lack of maturity{in every age group} -- that can at least provide some perspective.
older guys can offer some patience and tolerance that some younger men don't.
older guys can care about things that may indicate a deeper maturity --i.e. they may not care so much about material things.
but again -- it's always a balance -- some have it -- others don't.

[arwalden]

8. Wow.

I've never felt older in my entire life than I do right now.

[Rowdyboy]

9. Neither have I, my friend, neither have I...

[Quetzal]

10. Some young guys are just looking for a sugar daddy

While some other young guys I know just found a really great guy and could care less as to how old the individual is.

Perhaps it is because "veterans" of the circuit parties have something to teach the younger fellas a thing or two about life :-)

[BTTB]

11. *sighs*

I love guys... that's something that can never be taken away from me. =)

[Rowdyboy]

14. And its something all gay men have in common

like him

[TexNExile]

12. Younger Men ... Angels on Loan?

Excerpt from my short story

The Nervous Type.

"I was a skinny tow-headed boy. My blue-green eyes often gave me away, as they grew deeper in color when I was lucky enough to look upon an object of endearment. The nervous way in which I bit my lower lip when I was lying had more than once almost prove to be a near fatal tick of my nature. I wanted to be liked by the other boys. Certainly I liked them and would go to any length to prove it."


Constantine P. Cavafy is a wonderful modern Greek poet who wrote gay themed verse. I highly suggest reading his work.

Tex N Exile.

[Rowdyboy]

13. Checked out your website and read "Boarding House Angel"

I really enjoyed it and look forward to "The Nervous Type".

Based on your writing style, I can guarantee you would love the writings of Jay Quinn. "Rebel Yell I" and "Rebel Yell II" are short story anthologies by southern gay writers that he edited and there is some really good, serious work included. I was brought to tears at times, and guffawed at others. Quinn has written 2 other books, "Metes and Bounds" and "The Mentor"

Here's a link to his first anthology. Of all the stories included, I think his is the best, though several are truly haunting.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1560231602/002-6824022-5207257?v=glance

Thanks so much for the mention of Constantine Cavafy. I had not heard of him, but did some research and I like what I've read. Hope to be able to locate a good translation of his work, but I'm sure it won't be available locally. God bless the internet!

[khashka]

15. Good for you!

Keep enjoying young men as much as you want. I tend to go for older guys. When I was 17 I had a brief but very happy affair with a man in his 50's.

So just a reminder... just cuz you're getting up there in the age thing doesn't mean that there aren't boys looking at you with a lecherous gaze.

It works both ways.

Khash.