There was once a time
when men were championed for being sent off to war
celebrated
for having gone to battle
Should they have survived,
they would come home to their people,
drinking wine and parading about their accomplishments
while everyone gathered to listen to their tales
Yet, today, men are actively discouraged from sharing their battles
and I know,
a breakup,
or a depressive episode,
or even just a bad day
are not on the level of grandeur as a bloodied fight to the death
but even the small victories were once reason for banners to be hung
and the small losses; a reason for mourning
so, please, share your battles, whether they were a win or a loss,
because you never know
which fight will be the one to consume you
Share your battles. This poem, although written primarily as a reminder of the negative stigma men receive in society, when they are too open about their struggles, can apply to all; men, women, and/or anything and everything you identify as. At the end of the day, we are humans, and it's our job to look out for each other. So reach out, when you're in pain, or you're hurt, or even when you want to share a small victory. Tell someone.
