Be A Man Poem by Dean Bottomlley

I wear a mask, and it's not my fault.
Three words condemn me, and my male peers,
To a life of anger and confrontation.

BE A MAN! ! ! !

What IS a man? How can I do that
When there is not a definition:
No example, no guide book for me to read!

BE A MAN!

Every day I decide how to look.
I have to walk in a certain way,
Swagger and strut my stuff without any fear.

BE A MAN!

I cannot back off; show I'm sacred..
I mean a man can never back down:
Show fear; act kind; be soft; or really show concern.

BE A MAN!

No room for love: but if that's the case
When I am growing with my male friends:
How will I understand true love when older?

BE A MAN!

Confrontation, that is what I learn.
So how can I change to love a girl?
I was never taught to love, just the opposite!

BE A MAN!

Just those three words, said far too often
Mean no life long friends, well that would be soft.
Like it's so gay to share your worries and fears.

BE A MAN!

I'll live anger! always will be best:
Prove myself all the time, to everyone.
Chest out, shoulders square: daring you to risk it.

BE A MAN

Teach me anger, I will be angry.
Only you can change it, teach me love.
Don't set an unreachable goal, beyond my grasp.

BE A MAN!

Teach me to love, concern and compassion.
Then I will know how to share my life;
First with male friends, and then with a lifelong partner.

BE A MAN

Then I can love my own, my children
The cycle then broken I'll be ME!
Till then I play your game, be what none can define

I'll BE A MAN! !