wrong with anyone who doesn't find a lifetime soulmate, or a reasonably compatible compromise. And yet we profess to value individualism. There's nothing wrong with an individualist finding a mate, but the odds are against it. Mostly its just sham. Men seldom really want soulmates-they want housekeepers. I've never hankered to be a servant, or to have one.'

"But don't you get lonesome now, I asked, "with no one to share your memories?"

"How could I? I've an oversized collection of memories, and I could only share them with someone who had a very similar lot herself, which is asking a lot, or with an analyst or some other paid ear. No, I'm capable of containing my own load, and if I must overflow a bit, there's writingor some student willing to listen a few minutes.

"No, real mateship wasn't for me. I've had a good life. I learned early to stand on my own feet, and that's something. Let those who can't manage that do the weeping and wailing. I've never been lonesome in my life."

This brings us back to our original question: What attitude should we take to the single homosexual's life? It depends on his own attitude toward life. If he is looking for a partner, then it may be good if he finds one, and can be very sad if he doesn't. But if he can find within himself, or in committment to some cause or profession, the resources to sustain him, then the life of that single homosexual can be a life worth living, a thing to shout about.

Like Tilly Andrews, I no longer look to find a suitable mate, and am satisfied to live alone-yet if one should come along-the right one...

Alden Kirby

The Length

of a Match

Have you got a light for a cigarette

in a corner of the dark by the deeper protection of some strange door borrowed for the moment

the length of a match until the torch of reassurance is, in silence, passed on

to extinguish the night

before her darkness descends

like the fingers

of a young gloved hand?