“Monsters We Made” 1st Place Winner

Garry Learnt How to Be a Man Off the Internet

by Rhys L’Hermite
man looking in mirror under red light

Editor’s Note

Rhys L’Hermite’s poem investigates toxic masculinity on multiple levels. It captures the sensation of being online in the way that one line bleeds into the other, not dissimilar to the infinite scroll of social platforms, effectively assaulting the reader with misogynistic messages. The piece also evokes what it’s like to be on the receiving end of this barrage of toxicity: the reader can’t catch a breath. “Garry”—and, by extension, people who learn how to “be a man” online—is a monster of our own making because we share digital spaces with people and algorithms that perpetuate these influences, and the voices that spark the most outrage are the ones that tend to get pushed to more people, even if their messages are harmful. This is a poem about the internet in the best and worst way, and we’re pleased to share it as our inaugural first place winner.

Hey there love you look like a fine cut of something I’d like to chew on and spit out for a good time you can’t spit real women swallow the pill for me I don’t like the feel of rubber tires and fast cars down at the track with the boys to have a great time I take up all the time you need you can’t handle what I’ve got I’ve got everything you want my eight inches no nine stacks of cash and a long pipe burst yeah baby I’ll show you how to fix it step aside love let me handle this everyone knows women can’t do a man’s job is to get dirty cause if you’re clean you must  be one of them gay boys I’m no gay boy beta watch your wife while I fuck that bitch weighing me down like a ball and chain her to the bed cause I like it when you’re submissive baby isn’t my problem you take care of it like a good housewife I work all day like a real man long hours long jobs a long time in bed with me baby hard and rough hands manly and dry since I wash with only the manliest soap it smells like wood splinters I can’t feel ‘em I’m a man with calloused heart I don’t feel anything I don’t cry like some sissy baby just sit there and look  pretty let me handle that heavy load in ya’ any hole I like cause I own you think you’re stronger than me fat fucking chance you’re no man you look like a man with those muscles you must  be a man I bet you have a dick but not one like mine it’s a real fat cock sucker you dress like a girl all pretty I don’t think you’re pretty you’re too fucking manly men told me I’m a wolf I’m an alpha I’m on top of you but don’t get it wrong you don’t need to cum it’s your fault for being too dry wall has a hole through it because you’re such a bitch you make me angry you make me fucking crazy about you baby so what do you say do you want to come back to mine?

Rhys L'Hermite

“Monsters We Made” 1st Place Winner
Rhys L’Hermite is an emerging French-Australian writer from Perth, Western Australia, predominantly writing in both poetry and fiction genres. His work often explores themes of grief, identity, and toxic-masculinity. His Poetry has been displayed across Perth City as part of the ‘Poetry on the Big Screens’ project in August 2025. He graduated with a BA(Hons) in Creative Writing from Curtin University.

Next challenge launches January 1!

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