Twenty First Century – The Edited MAN

Ok before you read this, I want to make sure you understand my intentions. 

Firstly, in this poem, I am not trying to make a sexist statement about men's superiority.  This is an attempt to share my experience and struggle as a man in a culture that (I feel)  is “intolerant” of me as a man.  I am probably one of the more compassionate and committed men you will ever meet.  I have three children who l love whole heartedly and would do anything for.  While I feel that I have an innate nurturing ability, I still love to be “masculine”  but  feel that in our day, I am forced to repress that which makes me who I am. 

Secondly, this is one of a two part series.  The next poem will relate to a culture that attempts to push the “Female” of our day into roles that are viewed as “liberating”.  However, it – in a new way – forces her to adopt new cultural paradigm that is no better than the previous (instead of offering a new option).

Edited man
Does all that he can

Super Hero
Model Citizen
 

Eats Raisin Bran

When they first found him

He was just a Brute Beast

Now he waits for others

before he starts his feast

Mild Mannered

More Feminine

Then he’s ever been

Never a whisker on the tip of his chin

They think him reborn

Remade

More Refined

He never hunts

Or tries to “unwind”

No more gruff patterns

No more sharp edges

He can breastfeed a baby

While trimming the hedges

On the outside he’s perfect

From the floor to his grin

Right Clothes, Right Words

Right Actions, Right Trim

But inside he’s dyeing

He failing to breath

Can not find an answer

In all that he sees

His life, a castration

Of all that he is

The culture defines him

What a “good man” he is!

So much for what’s mutual

We’ve by passed that stage

Who cares for what’s equal

He now “belongs” to this era

And the “Culture” the “Sage”

A man is not lazy

He can be responsible too

He’s more than a beast

That belongs at the Zoo

There’s value in:

masculinity – strength – the mechanical mind

the hunter – gatherer – fisherman’s brine

Mathematics – Logic

They weren’t created by Man

But how do you explain why “he” is more “bent” toward them

There is a difference

We all know that its true

But for some reason

we think

the world would be better

if we “fit” the same shoe