The Weight of a Man

Alarm at five. Same old ceiling. Coffee stains on the ears he's bleeding.

Clock in. Chin up. Yeah, I'm fine rehearsed. Swallows every curse

till his throat feels worse. He's been taught to tighten jaw. Patch the crack.

Ignore the flaw. But the weight keeps cutting in. Like a blade beneath the skin.

This is the weight of a man. Holding it all with trembling hands.

Smile on his face. Back to the wall. Hiding the scars

that nobody scans. This is the weight. The weight of

a man. Phone lights up. Dad says, "Be strong". Boss says,