NEW POEM: Take It Light

The below poem has been written specifically written to coincide with International Men's Day 2021. It was inspired by a piece of advice that a colleague's father used to give him whenever he was worried, stressed about the next step or the right thing to do. He used to tell him, "Take it light".

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Take It Light

A Poem by Simon Clark

Written to coincide with International Men’s Day, 19th November 2021

There he is struggling under the strain of paying bills,

The lights won’t light,

The lack of heat brings chills,

The choice of petrol or food on the table,

The water in his eyes overspills.

Take it light.

There he is struggling under the weight of being strong,

The fight he fights,

Prays the end comes along,

The sign of weakness or defensive anger,

The silent scream becomes his swansong.

Take it light.

When you’re carrying the world,

Take it light,

When you’re feeling every blow,

Take it light,

When you’re drowning in the pain,

Take it light,

When you’re crowded all alone,

Take it light and look inside.

There he is struggling under the pain of bullying,

The hurt just hurts,

The names are dizzying,

Should he run away or stand up man-to-man?

The anguish is lifelong-wearying.

Take it light.

There he is struggling under the stress of living true,

The love can’t love,

Hid himself and withdrew,

To kiss his lover or just any other?

His closet’s the deepest shade of blue.

Take it light.

When you’re carrying the world,

Take it light,

When you’re feeling every knock,

Take it light,

When you’re waiting for the train,

Take it light,

When you’re dying deep inside,

Take it light and live again.

Take it light, child, take it light.

© Simon Clark 2021