To Be A Man

(March 20, 2003)
Be warned. This one is a little raw. But it's part of the question.


What does it mean
     to be a man?

Is it shafts and cams,
     oil and grit?
Breaking your knuckles,
     sweat and spit?
The gridiron, the nine iron,
     the hoops, or the stick?
The pigskin, the sheepskin,
     the foreskinned dick?
Jack-of-all-trades or
     Master of one?
Phd-ed, MBA-ed,
     learned on your own?

Macho? Bravero?
Mucho? Camero?

Does it take a slow hand
     all night long?
A five minute cameo,
     dance and a song?
Is it the size of your penis,
     your paycheck, your car?
Is it time spent with family,
     your hobbies, the bar?
Should you leap tall buildings
     in a single bound?
Have feet firmly planted
     here on the ground?

Do real men love Jesus, like quiche, hate pink?

Must you be a beer guzzling,
     belch busting,
          gas passing,
               son of a bitch?
Or wine tasting,
     palette cleansing,
          reflux suppressing,
               proud to be rich?

Do you have to be hawk-like,
     bull-headed, wise as a snake?
Someone please tell me
     what does it take

     to be a man?