A ‘Man’ cannot cry.
Emotion not show.
This is the lesson,
we learn as we grow.
Ridiculed in the school,
and ‘Gay” are we called.
If tears we do show,
for names that are called.
Character building,
is said it to be.
The spit in my hair,
and the blood on my knee.
The victim fights back,
and wins my first fight.
Then I get punished,
just how is that right?
The one became two,
and then became three.
I am the week one,
that’s what they tell me.
Complain I dare not,
and get called a ‘Girl.’
Try now to hide it,
will give it a whirl.
Now it is bottled,
tis working well.
Take home the pressure,
still we don’t tell.
__
If it leaks out,
you’r not a ‘Man.’
Too much to carry,
you’r not a ‘Man.’
Asking for help,
you’r not a ‘Man.’
Bought to your knees,
you’r not a ‘Man.’
__
We don’t ask for your help,
as it shows that we’re weak.
Admitting our problems,
tis a trait of the meek.
Then there’s the ‘New Man,’
we try to be both.
Still short of – the ‘Man’s Man.’
it brings down his wroth.
—
I can’t be a ‘Man,’
and neither be ‘Me.’
To take one’s own life,
a chance to be “Free.’
Free from the standard,
of the word – ‘Man.’
But then it’s to late to,
find out it’s a sham.
On medication,
we hide out of sight.
Avoiding the questions,
ashamed of our plight.
Courage it takes us
from – ‘Man’ – now to walk.
Open our feelings,
in therapy – talk.
Become our own person,
in our own right.
Finding my own me,
and leaving the fight.
I stand on my own ground.
My battle cry – I – sound.
From ‘Man’ – now – I am – free.
Before you, stands —
ME.
A § M
8/10/2017
Pingback: Reflections…Week Forty | A wander through the mind