masked

a malehood perspective

there is a reality
that lives in some
of us
 
we married men

and it's not
that nice guy
the women's talk
shows wish to know

nor the safe one
who said i do
lips trembling as
the tears flowed

he's not that
man inside a woman's
sigh who lives only
to love her
years after the spark
has died

he is
a mere man
a solitary soul
no more than he
can carry
no less than he can
hold

but he's not
an antidote for
fickle fears
nor the courageous
sort to open wide
and share

he is just
who he is
though hidden away
safely encased
beneath the molded
face that stays
in place

 

Reviews

[Cassie Fraga]

hhhmmmm....I get a little yearn from this piece like a needing to find a safe soul to bask with behind the mask...
awesome write!!

[...]

. amazingly lucid and profound ... it's also true ... yet ... somehow i find myself wishing that this man ... who is "hidden away" is so sensitive ... that it would be nice if he found a soul mate in someone who is as sensitive ... so, this is a very poignant piece of writing for me ... almost heartbreaking ... there's resilience here but also a sense of acute isolation ...