Tonight was a meal for my parents boy
Belated birthday gathering of his family
As we walk, two men are about to kick off
Closer it seems to be just drunken talk
As we enter the loudness hits like bass
Only it\'s testosterone feeling the place
One look at me, with discomforting gaze
I choose to remove my spinning hat
A bakers dozen of egos lines my sight
Before we\'re ready to order there is a fight
Two more stand up rushing outside
I turn to the window to see a cut up face
All of them like school kids wanting get a piece
To prove they are the baddest warrior amongst them
The energies of these people made it uneasy to eat
Not even being able to hear the person next to you
The choice was made to sing and cut the cake at home
As the rest finish up, I pop out for a smoke
To be confronted as I walk to the door
Two walking in, most drunken my side
I see him looking up, suggesting don\'t try
Proud as punch, I keep walking on
Dodging at the last moment so shoulders don\'t touch
A nood from one, door held for a tick, let\'s me know my movements didn\'t the trick
Once back in I\'m struck with the thought
If only a man was shown it\'s about more than what I see
True strength does not come with a closed fist
Drinking alcohol is not a competition of wits
It is possible to let go and let live
Because being a man is more than this
But if it is not and I have it wrong, I\'ll gladly not call myself a man at all.