Origin

I tied a hangman's noose Within the womb Around my neck was slung And from those gallows swung. I was six days late The pressure wouldn’t abate I’ve always been Afraid of change. I came out looking blue Foreshadowing how I’d feel Writing this at all. I was timid, I was quiet, Sleeping days away. Always compliant Never outspoken. Obedient, a good kid They’d say. Now looking back as a man With fissures throughout my heart I think it’s not that simple. Never outspoken sure, For every strongly expressed opinion Was shouted, and frightened This gentle child into quietness. So I grew with roots reluctant To claim soil another may one day want, Older brothers younger sister More abrasive than I. I like tile they like sandpaper, Every attempt to rough me up Only made me smoother. One day I was called to manhood By nothing but necessity. At an age that couldn’t be expected To swing a hammer well. Hell I couldn’t even swing a decision yet. How could I possibly step into shoes Strangely unworn before And with strength strike The nail on the head. I filled those shoes in time Sometimes feeling room still By my big toe. I swung a decision, I’d be the man I wanted to be To be different than the example. A timid trailblazer still covers ground, A kite broken free may crash, Or fly higher than ever imagined. The world needs good men I’ll fill that need or die trying, She needed me to be more, My soul began To grow chest hair. So that’s where I’m from There’s my past laid out. My future? Well that’s up to me isn’t it.