Shadow-Wrestling

Bottom referee's Position, right hand Grabbed opponent's right Hand, feet pivoted. Right foot raised to toes,  Opponent driven Backward, sat on, hand Pulled into armpit. Right shoulder leaned toward Mat, opponent pulled Sideways, flipped over, Neutral position. Clay made the rounds, thin Towel knotted at waist,  Bare feet treaded dark, Stained carpet, and stairs. Proponents observed Through doorways, dimly Lit, starkly furnished, Rooms, pale skin on sheets. Stares met, lids dropped, eyes Roved over bodies, Assessed fitness for Active engagement. Alcohol brio Overcame social Reticence, Stuart Took initial steps. Used all the right words, Stayed focused in a Conversation, reached  Across with right touch. Allowed himself to Imagine weeknight Regulars undressed In bedroom setting. Would be new members  Toured males exclusive,  Fifth Avenue club, Basement location. Led past battered gym Lockers to next room, Equipped with basic Weights, and lift machines. Last stop,...

Bottom, referee's Position, right hand Grabbed opponent's right Hand, arm against side.  Legs pushed out into Seated position, Feet on mat, knees bent, Body rolled to left. Spun around, right knee  On mat, left knee raised, Opponent faced, hands Wrapped backs of his legs. Dwayne headed for the Bathhouse pool, a man Rested his back, and Arms, along tiled sides. An assortment of Men were seated, towels Wrapped, conversation Rapt with pronouncements. Young men actively Pursued attention From younger through their Athletic poses. Bartender took Bill's 'Tom Collins' order, Paid, stepped back, suited Customer approached. Suit pegged Bill fresh meat, Stood at right angle, Blocked other drinkers, Smiled, began banter. Eyed Bill intently, Queried his evening Plans, hand sought purchase On Bill's short sleeved arm. Jordan's studio, 220 square feet, Alphabet City, Fire escape gate. Boom boxes explode With Latin lyrics, Hydrants flood curbsides, Late model cars washed. ...

Bottom referee's Position, on hands And knees, both feet are Pivoted outward. With opponent on Left side, right leg raised, Foot on mat, right hand  Grabbed hand on stomach. Elbows tight against Sides, left leg raised while Opponent's hand held,  Pushed back for escape. Frank paid admission, Walked to locker room, Took off his clothing Under watchful eyes. Wrapped a thin bath towel  Around his waist, passed Men taking showers, Or observing them. Paused at lounge doorway, Men stared at a porn Video of male Pair engaged in sex. Zack stepped in Broadway Arms chicken wire  Cage, piled his clothes, wrapped A towel, opened door. He sat on the sheet Covered mattress as Middle aged men with  Towels wrapped walked past him. A man came in, closed The door, dropped his towel, Removed Zack's, placed him On his hands and knees. California Sunshine spilled from screen On dark, upholstered, Occupied seating. Paired off, solo, men Sat stiffly, fumbled Across laps, stood up, Hea...

From top referee's Position on left  Side, left knee turned, blocked Opponent's left knee. Left hand moved, outer Elbow to inside, Arm, body, pulled down, Left shoulder pressured. Waist held tight, body Rolled over onto Left shoulder, cradled, Butt to crotch, on sides. Andy and Sumner, Both dormitory's Fourth form prefects, roomed Above dining hall. Always wore boxers, Studying, out in Hallway, inspecting Rooms, after light's out. Visible when guests Came through hall's front door, Looked up the spiral  Staircase, open door. Paul followed nurse to Exam room, told to  Take everything off Except underwear. Doctor came in, had  Him step on scale, turn, Height, take a seat for Examination. Told to stand, lower Briefs, cough, do twenty Jumping jacks, briefs slid Down to his ankles. Underwear divide Marked social status, Obvious mornings In bathroom mirrors. David hedged, dropped his briefs For Brooks Brothers own Solid, oxford cloth Boxers, matching shirts. Acquired a Lo...

From top referee's Position, right side, Right hand moved from the Elbow to left knee. Left hand moved from the Stomach to ankle, Body turned, shoulder  Pressed opponent's side. Risen from knees to Toes, opponent's left Leg pulled toward, shouldered Opposite to back. Chad volunteered as Athletic greeter, Met team busses, brought Teams to locker rooms. Set up post game hot Chocolate, and boxed Donuts, carried off  Wet towels from benches. Found a white pair of Runner's shorts team left  Behind, folded it Into his pocket. Prep school dean, English Department chairman, Lectured third form boys: 'Melville's "Billy Budd."' His tongue wagged, parsing Out erotic hints, Claggart's envy of Stuttering Billy. Same dean sent two new Boys home, prefect caught  Them in deviant Acts of bedroom sex. Kent went to darkened Gym Saturday night, Undressed, headed to Locker room showers. Glasses off, turned on   Water, began to Soap up, someone stepped In on other s...

From top referee's Position, chest turned Toward opponent's right  Side, arm off elbow. Opponent's face crossed With right arm, hand grabbed Upper left arm, left  Hand grabbed far ankle. Ankle moved away, Upward, shift from knees To toes, back pressed by Chest until flattened. Leo hooked his towel,  Entered locker room Showers, his teammates Faced in toward the tiles. Shower head turned on, The hot adjusted, Head tilted under Cascading water. Soap bar taken from Basket, his body Lathered, face to feet, Rinsed, while eyes stayed closed. Sam joined the sixth form Football players who Walked along tables In their white boxers. They picked up towels rolled With jockstraps, t-shirts, Socks, staff sold cleats from Piled up shoeboxes. Coaches stepped up to  Measure equipment,  Shoulder pads, helmets, Cups, pants, and jerseys. Three third form boys sat Wearing bathrobes on Sunday afternoon In roommates' bedroom. On corners of beds, In desk chair, relaxed Conversation of...

From top referee's Position, left hand Moved from elbow to Waist, right from navel. Right grabbed opponent's Far ankle, moved it Outward, lifted it High as possible. Shifted from knees to Toes, opponent's back, Under chest pressure, Driven forward, flat. Larry circled mat, Self-conscious that he'd Foresworn a jockstrap Under tight singlet. Dropped penetration Shot, launched between the Opponent's legs, hands Locked around the knees. Body propelled knocked Opponent down on Mat, their crotches rubbed, Asserted control. Prep school athletic Director met with Third form boys on their First day of classes. Instructed them to Assemble at gym, Take any locker,  Strip bare for heights, weights. Third repetition Allowed underwear, Paul free balled, stood on Line without any. Nick joined the new boys, Bathrobes tied around Waists, towels in their hands, Headed to basement. Badly nearsighted, Couldn't see details Lost in steam, soap bars Moved across bodies. Nick soaped up...