My Struggle is to be a Man

My struggle is to be a man
In every respect.
A man is not simply
The owner of a rod,
Even if that is a criterion;
Women adore that rod
And use it against themselves
In sadistically pleasing pain;
They moan yet are happy,
They cry yet insist on more -
A woman will always love a man.

My struggle is to be a man
In every respect.
A man is not simply
A successful worker,
Even if that is an ambition;
Some men are slaves
And earn a keep washing pants on Sundays
In shameless smugness;
They swot yet are content,
They are degraded yet bear it well -
A slave will always love the base.

My struggle is to be a man
In every respect.
A man is not simply
A humble worshipper,
Even if that is a necessity;
Every soul must have its god
And pray ceaselessly to him
In faithful submission;
They suffer yet are hopeful,
They doubt yet believe -
A man is deeply spiritual.

My struggle is to be a man
In every respect.
A man is not simply
A proud lord,
Even if that is an attraction;
Many men have to endure hardship
And oppression of every sort
In quiet longsuffering;
They are harried yet are not overcome,
They are tortured yet unruffled -
A man is resolutely resilient.