When does the making of a man begin
Does it start with the bloody knee
As tears begin to form
When your told boys don’t cry
When you feel every bone in your body crack
And your wracked with the desire to scream
All you hear is suck it up
Don’t show weakness even though it’s our bodies defense
Is it when you are told to not play with dolls
Boys need footballs
When do you begin to become a man
When you hunt your first buck
To kill a living thing that you don’t really need
Though every fiber in your body screams
I don’t want to hurt a thing
When do you begin to become a man
When you get your first blister
So you can no longer swing the maul
Blood and liquid leak between your fingers
Causing your grip to slip
Do you become a man with your first conquest
When childhood is relinquished
A counting of coup to prove virility
Do you become a man when you go to war
Enticed by adventure and tuition paid
Mental anguish follows every bullet sent
And every “villain" slayed
When does the making of a man begin
And goddammit when does it end!
YOU ARE READING
Ink & Tears
PoetryThis is a collection of poems that I have written about my struggles with depression, anxiety, love, nature, and the darker aspect of the world that seems to always hammer on my heart. I hope this reaches some of you.
