Real Men Cry

A Poem for Men Holding Back Tears

“Wu left me for this other guy.
It hurts so much I need to cry.
I cannot stand these tears of mine. 
I’m weak.
I have to pierce my eyes.”

Jesus:
“What if I said
real men cry.
I made tear ducts 
within those eyes.
I also wept when 
Lazarus died.
I know what pain 
feels deep inside.

There in the garden — 
Gethsemane.
Sweat turned to blood
so filled with grief.
The thought of death,
the stress ahead.
I knew the stakes;
they’d cut my flesh.

I agonized. 
It intensified. 
But I had to yield 
this strength of mine.

For you I chose
to bear the pain. 
For you I chose 
to lose to gain.

 So even though 
Wu went away,
release your tears
I’m here to stay.

I’m here to stay,
I’m here to stay.
Release your tears,
I’m here to stay.”