�Man At Arms�

These tears may be running strong
But they show that I feel real emotion
So why do you see this as a sign of weakness?
Especially when you expect me to carry on in this relationship
What do you think is it that makes me who I am?  
It wasn’t the glass that smashed around my hand
And it certainly wasn’t another empty lager can
I could always ape the apes but that would only lead to our premature break up…
Why do you look for signs and what exactly are you looking for?
You watched like a hawk when I checked my nails
Did I turn my hand round to inspect a tight clenched fist
Or did I splay my hand out like a fan and dazzle your eyes with perfect cuticles
Were you surprised when you saw the hairs on my arms?
Did my soft soul fool you into thinking that I was anything but a man
Maybe it’s because I cry when I need to
All because I make believe when I listen to music-
All because I still listen to music
She said, “Are you strong?”
She said, “Who will protect me?”
Did my loving heart not answer your concerns
And what exactly is that you need protecting from…is it yourself?

 

Reviews

[R J Askew]

Tears trouble me. Not that I think ill of them, but because I have so few. As I've got older I'm come to realise that this is a bad sign. A friend of mine used to say he would sob his head off at opera. I was totally stunned when he told me. And and another friend would say she would cry in the theatre. Others I know cry at certain films. And I have a close friend who readily laughs till he cries. I can make him weep, but do not weep myself. My head rules too much. So when I read your poem I had a mix of reactions. Firstly there is clearly something going amiss with your relationship which is very sad. On the other hand, you have the humanity to be able to show this and the underlying emotions through honest tears. Maybe my own emotions are held on a tight rein. So your poem triggers self-analysis in this reader. As for the issue of what is weak and what is strong and why are we as we are. I think listinging to music and being in touch with emotions is definitely a better way to be than aping apes. Being true to yourself, especially in difficult times, is better than compromising for peace or trying to be something different out of quiet desperation. Good luck!