There are a few of both sexes, doubtless, who hardly feel the passion-who have never been "in love," and who experience no strong sexual appetite--but these are rare. Practically the passion is a matter of universal experience; and speaking broadly and generally we may say it is a matter on which it is quite desirable that every adult at some time or other should have actual experience. There may be exceptions; but, as said, the instinct lies so deep and is so universal, that for the understanding of life--of one's own life, of that of others, and of human nature in general--as well as for the proper development of one's own capacities, such experience is as a rule needed.
And here in passing I would say that in the social life of the future this need will surely be recognised, and that (while there will be no stigma attaching to voluntary celibacy) the state of enforced celibacy in which vast numbers of women live to-day will be looked upon as a national wrong, almost as grievous as that of prostitution--of which latter evil indeed it is in some degree the counterpart or necessary accompaniment.
Fucking
Edward
Carpenter comes to me in the
morning,
his cock throbbing democracy:
Take
this and eat of it, my life spilled
for
you. I must admit a trifle indecision,
a
momentary blink as I rub some crud from
my
eye, flicking the remains of the evening
on
the floor. But Edward is
patient; he's seen
it
all, or most of what passed for pain and re-
demption
a century ago. Times change;
people
don't.
At least that's what he's hoping.
People
just
want to be free. So he pulls
back the
cover,
gently, and runs a finger along my
briefs,
the wrinkles of his hands catching
the
flesh in its communion with bones,
blood.
He offers me his cock. I
begin to
shrink,
but he soothes, breaking iambs:
One
man makes you taller; another, small.
This
one doesn't count the cost, for either
you
or me. And this is what he means by
democracy.
It isn't that simple, someone
will
say. But for Ed, I am equal
opportunity
before I even know what I want to choose.
