Unwritten Rules

Trying my best not to

wear my heart on my sleeve

as I come to terms

with how to grieve.

Hiding my tears so

that others won’t see,

I don’t want to show

them the real me.

A man is supposed to

take it all in his stride,

to be strong enough

to turn back any tide.

He is not allowed to

show signs he is weak,

for if he does, he may be

regarded as a freak.

Where these unwritten rules

come from I do not know

but heaven forbid you

should put on a show

by letting your true emotions out,

a reaction to your loss

that can leave no room for doubt.