Bent at the waist, a naked man in darkness dangles from the end of a chain by the ropes binding his arms behind his back.
This photograph, called The Power’s Breaking Loose by vishstudio, was suggested by naturalnumber, and it’s part of a set that I really like. Of another photo in the set, tastethesea said:
My god I love this. Everything about this, right down to the daintily crossed ankles.
In both pictures, the man is definitely showing some “daintiness,” a hint and not much more than that of delicate beauty. I’m fond of the model’s pose in all the photos, but I especially like this one because of how entrancing the curved line from his back, down over his ass, to his legs, and finally his toes on each foot are. I like that line because it makes clear how carefully he’s standing and yet shows off obviously powerful muscles.
What at first might seem insubstantial can often reveal itself as very sturdy indeed because the distance from fragility to durability is not as far as many are taught to believe. This was not an easy lesson, and I still have to remind myself of it whenever I feel debilitating frustration over what others say my sexuality should be, whenever I get angrier than I know how to channel into pursuits that create rather than destroy, or whenever I feel helplessly unheard despite the hoarseness in my throat from screaming my presence.
This is not fun. It hurts. I’ve gotten tired of looking for lovers, or friends, or even just receptive ears at times; I truly believed I’d never experience sexual satisfaction on my own terms. But ultimately none of that stopped me from trying again. Nothing can stop me because I know my vulnerability and, although at times painful, it empowers me. That makes me, and others like me, unbreakable.
All of a sudden, this exclusive hegemony is not so hegemonic anymore.