I call you soft

In an effort to make you hard

My measure of a man

But I am sure my measuring sticks are damaging you

I am sure I am making you peal away your God given intuitions and pour concrete over them

 

I do it

To prod you to protect me

I am tired of being my own cocoon

I am tired of a heart that is anvil heavy

I want to at least be able to be soft with you

 

I need you to know what makes me feel safe

I need you to know even when I can’t articulate what it is

 

But that’s not giving you a chance

 

So I will decide to learn myself

As my way of offering you decency, tenderness

– white flag