A fist in Strong Man’s face.
He stares it down with pride.
Opponent’s eyes are narrowed –
Strong Man’s stay bold and wide.

Opponent throws the insult;
it splats on Strong Man’s chest,
then trickles down his body
‘til at his feet it rests.

Defiant, Strong Man clenches
his fists and bites his lips –
where lands a soft-boiled insult
which cracks and smells and drips.

A third one cracks upon his head,
trickles into his eye.
Opponent mistakes it for a tear,
stands straight then leaves with pride.

Strong Man watches Mother Hen
as she leaves with satisfaction.
Strong Man is left alone once more;
once more, he didn’t take action.

He wipes away the egg white
but still there stains the yolk.
He feels a lump stuck in his neck;
a tear, on which he chokes.