SENSITIVITY

he was too quiet
and prone
to tears
and his
daddy
knew what
hard truth
waited
and did
what he could
to toughen
the boy up

and
it wasn't mean
like his mama
said
but a heartfelt
kindness
as he was
only watching
out for the boy

because
a boy
has got to
shake things
off
and make things
work
and hold his own
and keep
whatever is
meek and
mild
and tender
tucked in tight
lest the world
see it
as weakness
and simply
chew him up

and god knows
it was true
and not true
like every other
thing he thought
regarding that boy
who grew to be
a man
as tender
as any
and just so
goddamn
much
like his own
sweet father