The Man's Burden

My uncle’s finger, sharp and slow,

pointed at my hand.

"Soft," he said, "you need to grow,

a proper, stronger man."

My shoulders tensed, a sudden knot,

the familiar urge to harden.

To bury what I haven't got

and leave this soft backyarden.

But what’s the strength that locks you down,

the cost of being gruff?

To wear that hard and brittle crown

when inside, it's enough?