Wake up, get out of bed

and shower, brush your teeth.

Eat breakfast and grab your backpack. 

But don’t forget your mask. 

Not the covid mask. The mask

you use to conceal your emotions.

Facing the world so you don’t have to.

The mask of a man; strong and unwavering.

Remember not to confide your emotions

in anyone. Even those you think you

can trust. If you think you need advice,

two words will repeat: “man up”.

Don’t forget your mask.

The mask of a man standing on two words:

“heal everybody”. 

Have everyone confide in you. 

Be the therapist you are expected to be. 

Remember your mask. The mask 

that makes you a therapist to many,

but a patient to none. 

As long as you have your mask,

the outside world will be ok.

You will be seen as a man,

able to heal everyone.

But as long as you have your mask,

you will be the loneliest man,

not even able to heal yourself.