One gray afternoon,
with a struggle in my chest,
I allowed myself to doubt my manhood.
I opened the search engine and typed:
"Image of a masculine man."
I expected Vikings, a lumberjack,
Maybe a cowboy with a fierce gaze.
But no, they were normal guys.
Like you, like me.
And in my mind I thought:

I'm not that man who used
arrogance as currency,
my strongest side is confidence.

I'm not that man,
who doesn't cry,
who doesn't show his feelings,
and whose tears flow.

I'm not that man,
who controls and imposes,
I'm that man who guides, helps, and builds.

I'm not that man who uses
chivalry as superiority,
use as kindness for all equally.

I'm not that man,
who measures his manhood by his gaze.
Self-care isn't vanity,
it's self-love,
another sin.

I'm that man,
who doesn't compete with others,
I only challenge myself,
and I want to win.

I'm that man,
who wants to take care of my children,
parenting skills,
and my partner equally.

Let no one expect anything from me.
I have my values,
and I won't doubt that.

THIS IS ME! ​​AND THIS IS MY MANHOOD!

So if being a man
is just about meeting expectations...
I don't know, bro,
could I have come out of the closet? Hahaha.