The Company of Men

     This is the poem I had in mind before writing The Men of the Palace. I realized the reason I sacrifice so much of my Saturday to Tool Palace visits when I am not in the market for used tools is because I have always enjoyed the company and conversation of men. Since I am there with my husband and the other men's wives are not around to feel insecure, I can relax and be myself.

The Company of Men

I have always enjoyed the company of men--

tagging along as a little girl,

watching Roy Rogers, Sky King

and Saturday morning cartoons

at Dad's friend's house,

listening to the men visit.

 

Next came the school years

with boys aplenty and men too few.

At Bible college, where many girls

thought conversing with men

was solely to procure or poach a boyfriend,

I was considered a shameless flirt.

 

The churches I used to attend

treated talking much the same.

Though by then a happily married woman, 

at church social gatherings,

with their wives within easy earshot, 

speaking with men was still suspect. 

 

Fortunately, the world of 

aircraft mechanics is mostly male,

and by this time, from

decades in an aviation atmosphere,

I can contribute meaningfully

to most conversations. 

Though I am happy to visit

with a pilot or mechanic's wife,

I'm not intimidated if they don't come.

I am used to flying solo

through a cyclone of testosterone. 

I have always enjoyed the company of men. 

 

1/21/26