He Must

He must act like a man

at all times

because what else is a man there for?

He must never reveal his feelings

no matter how much they beat him

‘till he is left in a dark corner 

alone and afraid of the world around him

for he may look weak

and what else is a man there for?

He must always be the top dog

proving to others he can do everything

and placing himself on a pedestal

so that others may look up to him

and be amazed at the power of a man

because what else is a man there for?

He must be the breadwinner

the caretaker

the protector

the unmoving

emotionless

unfeeling husk of a human,

but most importantly:

He must be a man

at all times

because what else is a man there for?