I heard quite often "men don’t cry"

Though no one ever told me why.

So when I fell and skinned a knee

No one came by to comfort me.

And when some bully boy at school

Would pull a prank so mean and cruel

I’d quickly learn to turn and quip

"It doesn’t hurt" and bite my lip.

So as I grew to reasoned years

I learned to stifle any tears.

Though "Be a big boy" it began

Quite soon I learned to "Be a man."

And I could play the stoic role

While storm and tempest wracked my soul.

No pain nor setback could there be

Could wrest one single tear from me.

Then one long night I stood nearby

And hopelessly watched my son die.

And quickly found to my surprise

That all that tearless talk was lies.

And still I cry and have no shame

I cannot play that "big boy" game.

And openly without remorse

I let sorrow take its course.

So those of you who can’t abide

A man you’ve seen who’s often cried

Reach out to him with all your heart

As one whose life’s been torn apart.

For men do cry when they can see

Their loss of immortality

And tears will come in endless streams

When mindless fate destroys their dreams.

By Ken Falk