Are you a man? (January 2007) (DRAFT)

Are you a man?

Are you a man when you teach your son not to cry?
Do you think the tide of fear and doubt sweeps not over the unfeeling?

Are you a man, if you divide, mock, judge or point the vicious finger?
Do you lead the vanguard if those behind you remain blind?

Are you a man, if, arrogant, you blindly assume
That her smile means she is yours, your birthright?
Would you see your mother, sister, daughter shamed like this?

Are you a man when you refuse the help that guides us all?
Do you think to march a lonely path until its end?

Are you a man, who ruled by head not heart, hears not the beating drum of change?
Do you cling to history’s sullied page and hold it true to show your way?

Embrace your brother, love your sister, teach your daughter.
Blaze new trails for your son, and show him the full horizon of his opportunity.

Were you a man until now?
What will you learn?
What will you be tomorrow?

Are you a man?