The Middle Ward

A furnace of light invades the rear room;
What lies beyond cannot be seen:
The glare is incredible.
In the margin of darkness
Insecurities hold sway;
Liberality is measured in drams and pints.
The blaze dissipates five feet in--
No danger of identity,
No danger of commitment,
The middle ward is timeless
And those inside it fight stereotyping,
Falsely hoping some swain will adopt them.