no need to man up but
be man down with it
not man overboard
not excessive emotion
not too sensitive
more than masculine enough
no need to be more tough
manage the smooth
as well as the rough
be accountable
not depressed
but man retreating
from toxicity and misogyny
encouraging consent
and welcoming diversity
many of you tried to
beat me into your shape
but I chose a form of my own
rejecting the violence and
voicing my emotions instead
not any of the horrible words
I leave all that behind
welcoming emotional literacy
rejecting the bullies always
and I am all the stronger for it
let us all accept and celebrate
the difference we find
let us respect differing opinions
learning from other cultures
content with our own self
Fraser