Ernest Hemingway’s Fist

Ernest Hemingway’s Fist

It held his pen,
It held his scars,
It held his rage,
It hid his horrors.

It held his earnestness,
It held his flaws,
It held his fishing rod,
It hid his impotence.

It held his power,
It held his prick,
It held his need to cheat,
It hid his dread of death.

It held his blood,
It held his brutality,
It held the rifle

that hid his regal, ruined face.

Fitzgerald’s Last Tonic

Green like that light or a dying lime,

air-dried after the ice has evaporated,

purpose served, the bar emptied, hope

fulfilled or denied, story of your life.

Green with envy of those unlived lives:

muddied cleats from a rugby match, raw

skin in winter, pub crawls and last calls,

loving, fighting, or finally falling asleep.

Indulging if you’re thirsty or the world is

opening up—like a woman’s legs or fortune

on the half-shell; closing quick and leaving

a smell that makes you sick and, finally, spent.

The spirit dies but the spirits never lie to you

unless you let them, suspecting that first sip

should’ve been the final one, that you’ll drown

in a bottle, dead but still desperate for a drink.

FAQs – About The Good Men Project

What is The Good Men Project?

The Good Men Project is a mission-driven media platform founded in 2010 that explores modern masculinity, men’s mental health, relationships, fatherhood, identity, and social change through personal stories, expert insights, and cultural analysis.

What is The Good Men Project’s mission?

Our mission is to expand the conversation about what it means to be a good man in the 21st century — in ways that are inclusive, emotionally honest, and grounded in real human experience.

Why does The Good Men Project focus on masculinity?

Because masculinity shapes how men show up in relationships, families, workplaces, and communities. Examining it thoughtfully helps reduce harm, challenge stereotypes, and create healthier outcomes for everyone.

Is The Good Men Project inclusive?

Yes. GMP is committed to inclusive, progressive perspectives that challenge sexism, racism, homophobia, and narrow gender roles. We believe expanding masculinity benefits people of all genders.

How long has The Good Men Project been around?

The Good Men Project was founded in 2010 and has published continuously for over 15 years, making it one of the longest-running platforms dedicated to modern masculinity and men’s issues.

How many contributors have published on GMP?

Over 10,000 writers, including authors, therapists, coaches, academics, activists, and everyday people, have published on The Good Men Project. Interested in contributing? Submit to our online submissions platform here.

—

Subscribe to our Email Newsletter:

Why Subscribe? Because this conversation matters.
When you subscribe, you’re directly supporting independent, mission-driven journalism about masculinity, relationships, mental health, fatherhood, and social change. Your inbox becomes part of a movement that’s been challenging stereotypes and expanding what it means to be a good man since 2010. Plus, our newsletter is curated by humans, not algorithms — thoughtful context in an AI-flooded world.

The Good Men Project is a mission-driven men’s media platform. A major platform for stories about men, identity, fatherhood, and emotional intelligence—and a trusted home for the national conversation about masculinity.

The Good Men Project accepts paid guest posts and provides bulk guest post packages for SEO agencies and resellers. Email [email protected] for more information