easy to be hard

signore rafael lazzini

today's post is inspired by two things. first, the rememberance of reading dennis cooper's "the sluts". i absolutely loved this small book. it's use of the internet as a vehicle for suspense is profound and compelling. there were some scenes that were so vivid that i still feel a little oogie thinking about them. the backdrop is riddled with drug seeking sex workers, meth addicts, and sex working drug seekers and is definitely a good read. and watch for the snuff-like drama. it curled my toes.

i have liked cooper since the 80's. i remember reading a short story in "tenderness of the wolves" or "frisk" with a scene where a man is fist-fucking a younger man on a window sill in his apartment. they are both loaded and having fun. the fister then notices his watch still on his arm and remembers he needs to be somewhere and is running late. he reaches his arm out the window and shakes his sex partner(fistee) off his arm into a dumpster 3 stories below, turns on the shower and gets ready for the next adventure.

this image haunts me still today, as i truly believe it is a metaphor for the way many many gay men treat each other. completely utilitarian, we treat each other like tissues- we use each other to satisfy our immediate needs and then throw them away.


you can find a book review of "the sluts" here.

the second motivator was this recording of "easy to be hard" from the broadway classic "hair". havva listen and i think you'll agree.

How can people be so heartless
How can people be so cruel
Easy to be hard
Easy to be cold

How can people have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no

And especially people
Who care about strangers
Who care about evil
And social injustice
Do you only
Care about the bleeding crowd?
How about a needing friend?
I need a friend

How can people be so heartless
You know I'm hung up on you
Easy to give in
Easy to help out

And especially people
Who care about strangers
Who say they care about social injustice
Do you only
Care about the bleeding crowd
How about a needing friend?
I need a friend

How can people have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be hard
Easy to be cold
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no