By Dennis Thomas
I hope you don’t ask,
another man to man up,
and understand how,
we are attuned to portray
strength on our darkest days.
I hope you don’t ask,
another man to man up,
and understand how we
silence the breaking of dawn,
rushing through our veins.
I hope you don’t ask,
another man to man up,
and understand how we
mask pain with resilience,
leaving our bones drained.
I hope you don’t ask,
another man to man up,
but rather stay with us,
as we learn to accept
what it is to feel afraid.
I hope you don’t ask,
another man to man up,
but rather stay with us,
as we allow weakness
to pass through our gates.