Men Don't Cry - a poem

"Men don't cry,"
says the devil on my shoulder
"and the entire court of heaven
all the angels and saints
despise you for doing so Stephen
You're supposed to be strong and perfect
You're not supposed to weep

"They stare down with judging eyes
and they look away with shame
at what you've been and what you are
which is weak

"Why turn to the Mother?
She will not hear you
Nor will she listen to your pathetic pleas
For compassion or simply a hug

"No, sink deeper into yourself
Your sadness is your only friend
And all you have are your tears,"
says the devil on my shoulder
Who is a liar, despite my believing him

For Jesus wept
when his friend had died
And did not command others to cease their tears

Love is gentle and kind
Full of compassion and mercy
says what's best for my soul
but I have trouble accepting

Since I was young I embraced my tears
They are the pleasure of my soul
for they were all I had when i was little
When what I needed was for someone to simply say
Please tell me what's wrong
Tell me how you feel
and I won't condemn you for feeling that way
And I'll simply hold you and not lecture you
I won't judge you, you're wonderful to me
You're precious in my sight
You're of value in my life
I will follow you when you pretend to want to be alone
Because I know you
I know you're ways
and I know you carry a mending heart
I love you