Like That Shrinking Violet

They say "take it
like a man,"
though manhood is overrated
like a chartreuse violet that withers
and shrinks
when the season permits.
 
I say manhood
(as all things given) has a limit,
like the rose I got
last year for Mother's Day:
she wilted right before I put her
in the freezer, for some keepsake reason
known only to those of the opposite persuasion.

I'm of the school "take it like a human,"
for the brave get braver,
but what good is
bravery when courage has wilted
like that shrinking violet?

Copyright © 2005 Jacquii Cooke