Adrian: Diamonds In The Dirt

A Poem by Carlton Carr

Adrian flounces
but in his heart
he’s a brave warrior;
a gladiator;
a protector
set apart from the mincing men
that mill around him
like fairy bees
at the honey hive
Adrian bounces
out the door
but in his stride
he cannot hide
his longing to be
the charming prince
who saves the damsel
in distress
but his dress
belies the way he really feels
his make up hides;
the knight in shining armour;
the Don Juan behind his eyes;
the swashbuckling Gable or Flynn
and so it sadly seems that
nothing is left of the dreamer
but his clinging dreams
and laddered stockings
and foundation covered
pockmarked skin
Adrian downs another
shot of bourbon
on the rocks
and rearranges his breasts
they are the armour
that protects his
morning adventures
after the bar has closed
and he’s sung his last number
to a bored audience
who can only see his mask
and would never dream to ask
what’s behind
the powder and the paint;
what really gets his rocks off;
what really blows back his wig;
what lifts his skirt
they flirt
while Adrian dreams
of castles
and dragons
and princesses
and diamonds in the dirt