Fish hook in the mouth
Caught on image's steel of
fabricated manhood,
Rambo fighter or
Bumbling stupid
ridiculous Homer Simpson,
Real men, stand up,
take a stance,
shoulders, spine firm.

Families torn with violent fists
tearing words
Pounding uncontrolled anger,
stripping life from children’s eyes,
brutal intent breeding
Contempt in those
men should protect,
bankruptcy of relationships
thrown into a spiraling maelstrom
sucking spirit from society.
Real men, stand up,
take a stance,
shoulders, spine firm.

We hear the call
have a desire to be different
to be the Man,
to be the father, brother
but the struggle…

against the media images
of men
against the claws of sin
and weakness,
slashing character.

But there is
one Powerful love,
stirring strong love
Compassionate of heart
A tenderness to protect
Who in His difference suffered
took the weight
of the world on His shoulders
and cried, "It is finished"
Sin no longer rules
in the power of the cross
You are free, because Jesus
Nailed sin
cancelled sin,
took the fall
Paid out all
Paid it all,
deleted it all
Released your guilt
freed your past and future.

Yes, pure passionate love
uncompromising love,
stirring secure love.

Your strength is in Jesus
you can rest in His peace
Do you believe this
impossible possible
from Christ?
Shake free from false lines,
Real men, stand up,
take a stance,
shoulders, spine firm.

mārohirohi
(Maori word for strength, character)

Poem Tags
#spoken-word, #poetry #love, #god, #life, #identity #man, #society, #manhood, #male, #violence, #strength,
Prompt
Where are the real men in society? How are men seen today?