A Sensitive Man

A Sensitive Man


A man sits, naked in his mind
His soul as bare as winter’s branch
And begs of Fate a single chance
Please, let this one be mine

His eyes behold a fairytale
A princess, fair of hair and skin
His knees turn rubbery within
He tries to speak…and fails

With pounding heart (and cautious mind)
The maiden wonders, could this be?
A man as sensitive as me?
T’would be a precious find

How could I voice my heart’s desire?
His tortured mind reminds his fears
No woman would respect my tears
A man, this maid requires!

With shoulders squared and chin thrust out
He makes his way into her sight
And thinks of pleasures in the night
To chase away his doubt

With deepened voice, he purrs, “What’s up?”
Great line! his anguished heart berates
“Perhaps you’d join me on a date?
We’ll watch the sun come up!”

A toothy smile. A knowing leer.
Inside his head, he begs, Say yes!
I promise you’ll receive my best
With every passing year

While searching for the words to say
The maiden notes, unlucky I’m
“Perhaps,” she says, “some other time.”
And turns to walk away

He nods, with apathetic chill
Within, his heart cries out and burns
And when his loneliness returns
The ache is deeper still

He stalks away to share a beer
With men, lamenting women’s ways
How can I love? distraught, he says
When none will let me near?

Depressed, the woman’s spirit grieves,
Remembering his gentle smile
Why must a man act like a child?
Why can’t they be like me?