Shadow-Wrestling

Bottom referee's Position, feet slid  Away, right hand grabbed Opponent's right hand. Hand pulled off waist, hips Pivoted right, right Shoulder raised, right arm, Elbow, under chin. Left hand, left knee, pressed To mat, revolved right, Seated position, Both feet flat on mat. Terry, curious About who was in Rooms, wrapped his towel, locked His door, walked the halls.  Followed men, mimicked How they paused outside Doors, hands fondling towels,  Blank, appraising, stares. Opportunity Missed when door closed on Unseen occupant By barely seen man. Thomas brought Robert To favorite bar, Former speakeasy, Famous hung on walls. Average age at Thirty+- no twinks- Except street hustlers- Owner's acolytes. Scarce competition Focused attention On each other, and Beds' proximities. Hudson Hotel Health Club basement, vintage Facilities strained By members decline. Shower fixture pipes Detached from tiles, walls, Autographed, Broadway Stars, stained memories. Blond male, sapphire ...

Bottom referee's Position, left hand Crossed over right hand, Sit left, legs swung right. Right arm reached beneath Opponent, his left  Leg pulled forward, move From seated to knees. Left leg brought to toes,  Left hand secured on Opponent's right side, Position escaped. Trey paid for a room, Attendant unlocked Door, placed towel on bed, Handed over key. Stripped to packaged briefs, Propped pillow against  Wall, opened door, sat  With hand near his crotch. Men paused in doorway, Entered, felt through briefs With one hand, other Groped beneath their towels. Nathan greeted the Bartender, placed his Drink order, swept his Eyes over patrons. Stood near grill with drink, Overheard drunken Flirtations aimed at Young, short order cook. Hungered for dinner Companion, food, talk, Building up toward an Invitation home. Health club in Woolworth Building, alternate  Days for males, first floor Lockers, equipment. Lower floor, lap pool, Curtains divided Showers, left parted...

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...