Countless nights ,
The nightmares
the crying
the fear.

Plagued by an unforgiving hand,
served, not dealt.
this was not a matter of misfortune

It was clear the older he got
he would need to develop strengths he hadn't had before

Like understanding to hold back those tears,
no matter how painful
no matter how angry he was

It was not fair, he thought
it was not fair.

It was only when he became a man did he realize that nothing was fair
It was only when he became man did he realize he could cry when he was sad
It was only when he became a man did he realize he was robbed of childhood

When he became a man

he laid down in  bed
and although he was not yet done
He had no nightmares
he had not a need to cry tonight
and he had no
fear.