Man Among Men

Tonight I was a Man among Men
I stood broad
Shouldered to the next
I bore witness
And saw what my brothers carry

I became unafraid of my own burdens.
My load, though stacked precariously, was lightened
By this mere fact:
I am not alone.

Men,
much older than I
Staring down these same monsters
Wrestling these same demons
Drinking this same poison

I regain faith
in myself
in God
in fate,

and I walk once more
into the fire
unafraid
for I am a Man among Men
and stand where my Forefathers stood
and where my sons will stand
and I march