admonition

in the mirror you see a man
jaw set tight, tall he stands

i see the little boy within
still learning what is and isn’t his

a boy who can’t leave mom behind
so instead projects onto his wife

the big provider - a real man’s man
shitting on those he deems “less than”

a solid oak, roots firmly planted
stuck in place, left standing

all alone - deservedly so
he hurt the people he’s supposed to love most

above reproach and admonition
evangelizing to all who’ll listen

his worst fear - to be irrelevant
time tells tales of his false pretense

fading into yesterday
his reflection shading heavy grays

a bit too late to contemplate
he’ll realize he’s made a big mistake

ask him, but he can’t admit
he never knew when to quit