Soft

I’m soft.
My father wanted it that way.
Wanted me not to be hardened by war or poverty

I’m soft
and there are those who believe this is a bad thing
soft boys are the ruin of society

I’m soft
to the chagrin of uncles wearing scar tissue armor
who fought to earn me this privilege

We are soft
and we are resilient, and ready should we need to rise with the need
to take on that which would harden us

I’m soft
and will not waste that privilege
to love and celebrate and cry and care and dance

I’m soft
and what I want more than anything
Is that my daughter can be softer still