Manly Rituals

Ah, yes, the manly ritual.

How many times have we seen it?

We watch as the bill is presented,

and each man scrambles, reaching

for his wallet, a point of manly pride.

"This ones on me!"

"No, no, I'll get it!"

And so it goes.

Yet, when we look around

at the worldly banquet

of forests, earth and air,

where all have indulged,

in gleeful consumption

of this sumptuous meal,

we've drunk to the gills,

after dinner cigars are half-finished,

their fragrance fills the room,

all our appetites have been sated,

and the bill has been presented,

we see no manly scramble

for the wallets,

no manly ritual,

over who will pay the bill.

                                 Alix Hellas