to the boys and the men

To that man who grunted words,

Inciting fear and retreats

You poured out the shadows

Leading the storm in

To the fool who licked his lip,

You ran shivers through the ground

And made culprits out of victims

Leaving bitter diamonds behind

To the brother who covers,

You will always be the hero

Standing tall in the light

Bringing hope back

To the men who injured,

You tug then push away

Chain together but carry the knife

Easily cut away the past

To the boy with soft smiles ,

You melt hearts with that gaze

Awaking the pit of the gut

Your rejection was the sweetest

To men in my life,

In and out and all around

Thanks for the scars

Thanks for the bruises

Thanks for the band-aids

And the candy—

but now flowers.