How to Be a Man
don’t cry
don’t feel
don’t talk
don’t give
your heart away
completely
don’t serve
your family
but lead with
authority
power
force
shut up
lock away
never be free
completely
make money
forget those old dreams
now there is
responsibility
grow up
suck it up
just do what
everyone expects
pretend hide forget
completely
this is how
to be a man
How to Really Be a Man
open up
let us in
we want to see you
cry when you need
don’t hide
think for yourself
feel what you feel
know what you know
be who you want to be
even when it’s not
who they want
you to be
live true
live free
live whole
forget all the success
and rules
and conventions
and lead a family
into a new
definition of success
this is how
to really be a man
This is an excerpt from This is How You Know: a book of poetry. For more poetry, visit my starter library, where you can get some for free.
