Malfunction
it was a costume malfunction
not that I was wearing a costume
but the phrase
has become a catch-all
for any apparel slip-up
a top with
too much cleavage
for the airline
shorts that allow
the balls to dangle
when sitting down
a mini that prevents
the wearer from bending over
without revealing
more than panties
<>
the source of the phrase
costume malfunction
resulted in a corporate shaming
of a black female entertainer
she was shunned
her records her videos banned
who often revealed even more
than that malfunction made public
took the opportunity
to retire from the public light
she was sick tired bored
of no longer being a person
but a product
whose packaging
had replaced the contents
<>
not that my malfunction
revealed anything in public
it was reserved for private
to invite my carefully chosen view
to put his ‘fun’
into my malfunction
When I was younger, slimmer, more adventurous I had a oversized, mechanic’s one piece work coverall , that buttoned up the front. I would hit my favorite gay bar dance floor wearing that with just a jockstrap underneath. I found wearing it made me feel incredibly sexy. It was fashion look that didn’t catch on though – gay guys were more into little satin shorts & tank tops.
There some who sported black leather, buttless chaps. But even in these somewhat private spots that naked ass was as bare as men would get. I never saw anyone wandering around with dick out for all to see. Even in my few visits to the baths – towels on outside of one’s room, or the showers, or the actual steam room, was enforced. Men could be on their beds in those little rooms, door propped open enough for passers-by to get a good look at what was offered.
The showbiz manipulation of body image has a long history for exploiting the assets of its female ‘stars’ but when it came to males it was slightly different. Shirtless was fine but some male stars were discourage from bathing suit shots unless they wore loose trunks. Costume designers were tasked with making sure pants, shorts would never betray what lay beneath. Male actors were tucking their tackle long before drag made it mandatory.
Body shame runs rampant though North American culture with celebs being praised for looking astonishingly good at 62 in their bathing suits or getting lavished with praise for losing weight & finally looking astonishingly good in their bathing suits. Lists of what not wear over a certain age, in public, unless you looking astonishingly good in a bathing suit.
One of my disappointments in Tarzan, or Beach Party movies was the lack of male bulge. Today’s male superheroes have dynamic abs but Ken doll groins.We can’t frighten teen-age fan boys & girls with such offensive sights. Her superhero bodysuit reveals camel toe while his reveals how well he can tuck.
TOpoet 
