A father’s grief.

It must be held inside or it must be brief.

During his great tragedy, society wants him stoic and emotionless.

It would have rather him bury, hide, and divert his feelings…I must confess.

What good is a man who’s meek?

What value does a man show being vulnerable and weak?

So, he hides how he truly feels.

Won’t tell anyone no matter how much it hurts or the life from him it steals.

Only will he open up after drowning his feelings in alcohol or beer.

To only his closest and loyal peers, will the secret be let out or will they hear.

They will be sworn to a secret oath under lock and key.

Suppress and hide the real me because vulnerability is such a distraction to the family…you see.

Back to being the foundation on which the family leans when hardship presses.

He must remain cool, calm, and collected when life ramps up the unbelievable stresses.

He gets no outlet to the world for his suffering and pain.

Feeling like a prison, inside him it will always remain.

Bottled up…it starts the process that tears him down.

He hides his feelings with a smile because no one wants to see his frown.

So how, to the father, is this fair?

As long as he plays his role and does what he’s told, no one really cares.

Because, let’s face it, society tells us that father’s feelings mean less.

It’s sad, but true…I must confess.