NOT TO CRY

Instead of teaching my son
not to cry

I will teach him
not to taunt pain
not to swallow the
acid of masculinity
for its toxins will eat
at the lining of life

will un-net a crop
of cold arrogance

its growing vines
will wrap
around hearts
and up throats
and out of mouths

and if not careful
turn boys
crying boys
into dick-swinging
briar patches

who stick
and fight everything

including themselves