Summary

In “The Lost World,” “Try to Remember That South African Man,” the speaker tries “to remember the name” of a South African man he slept with (45). The man “insisted on being called “‘Coloured’” (45). The speaker recalls discussing racial violence while lying “in his hotel room” (45). The man covered the speaker’s face, then kissed him (45).

In “Oh Little Butch Queen, Don’t Try It,” the speaker recounts interactions with other queens.

In “You Have Smallish Hands for a Brother,” the speaker’s lover comments on his hands. They touch one another, gestures which teach the speaker about the “trust and total surrender” between “two men” (47).

In “A Jail Cell, Gin & Tonic,” at a bar, the speaker realizes “you can fuck / through anything” at 22 (48).

In “You Again, Under Better Circumstances,” walking in Boston, the...