Some folks say that you’re toxic,
and destroying all the world.
Some folks say that you’re reckless,
and just want to feel up girls.
I think you’re like a fire,
a great tool in the right hands,
but able to turn quickly
and sear the foolish man.
Once upon a time we knew
what boys would be trained to be.
We taught them to wield the flame
that is masculinity.
Those who would do without it,
are brainless, spineless clods;
Life is not a therapy session,
it’s a fight against long odds!
To fight that fight without it
never ends all that well.
The vicious kill the peaceable types,
or corrupt them into their hell.
Without a strong mind standing
on lines drawn in the dirt,
we'd lose our lives or lose our souls
to the monsters of the Earth.
And let’s not forget the home life,
the one that we know best.
We’ve got young boys playing gangster,
or becoming men without chests.
Going hard to both extremes,
unaware of the middle path,
without the old code’s guidance,
they’re either lazy or full of wrath.
And men who once built things,
now sit home and get cash,
not ashamed at getting handouts,
their souls atrophy quite fast.
Other ‘men’ still make money,
spreading buzzwords, lies, and fear.
They feel no shame because honor
to them is dumb and weird.
So to you I am asking this,
though the softer types may squeal,
your presence is requested,
your fury, passion, zeal.
Your role here is important,
without you we cannot be.
I’ll teach my kids to now your name,
to know masculinity.
-
Author:
David Welch (
Offline) - Published: August 15th, 2026 16:39
- Comment from author about the poem: Check out my books on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008RP0672
- Category: Sociopolitical
- Views: 7
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments2
A traditional male perspective in this poem. Well written
David, this is one heck of a conversation starter. I’m absolutely with you that masculinity itself isn’t the enemy...toxic expressions of it are. I do wonder whether masculinity needs to be taught as much as healthy character needs to be modeled and nurtured, allowing boys to become men without forcing them into somebody else’s mold. You definitely got me thinking with this one, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Well yes, character is essential, probably higher than either masculinity or femininity, and nobody seems to want to teach it today. And I don't expect one-size-fits-all approaches, but I do think there are some aspects of masculinity (the nature part wired into our DNA) that pretty much all of us have to make handle, especially when it comes to dealing with the elevated aggression we seem to possess. And given what unmolded people grow into (all the issues associated with single parenthood), I will say I think past examples (the more positive ones anyway) do have a lot to offer. Thanks for reading!
You are welcome. Also, much appreciated, David. I think that distinction clears up a lot for me. I’m not opposed to masculinity being shaped and guided...I just resist the idea that there’s one narrow template every boy has to fit. Character, healthy modeling, and learning how to handle aggression responsibly all make sense to me and you are right, teaching character (regardless of gender) seems to be at a real deficit anymore.🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
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