Forgetting To Cry
/I've forgotten how to cry.
I used to shed a lot of tears
through the trials and tribulations
of my younger years. But nowadays,
whenever my heart breaks
from losing a loved one, or felt
lost, humiliated, frightened or alone,
the tears never come at all.
And I wonder, is this normal?
But I suppose that it's all
for the better. They say that men
aren't supposed to cry. It's seen as
weak, unmasculine, queer.
No woman would ever want
to bear children from a man with
honest tears streaming down
his cheeks or wearing his heart
on his sleeve. We men--we manly men--
are expected to present a rock hard
exterior of strength and security
at all times for our women
and children. After all, we are
the providers. The protectors.
The killers. I am not this man.
But I will do my best to play the part
if no one else will.
By George Anderson
From: United States