(To a friend who wore a crop-top and collar in public)

The strip was leather, with a buckle in the back

And an O-ring in the front. I'd seen a thousand

Worn one, been choked, been photographed,

But you, there, in a shirt that shows your middle

And wearing a collar high on an upheld neck

Like a horse that's been gingered for a show,

With a ring sticking out all cantilever,

As though ready for a chain and clip,

Among friends, police and rivals,

Employers, women and men, children...

Such a two-side act, show of brazen in-

-tensity: "I belong to someone,

And what are you going to do?"