Manhood

by Valentino Di Pietro Hernandez

I thought I had to go camping in the woods for one night, 

Sleep under the stars all alone knife in hand ready to kill a bear 

But 

That didn’t happen 

I thought I had to write poetry the finest to ever exist 

And then naturally I would transform 

But 

That didn’t happen 

Instead, 

I got a call one night 

It was from my uncle 

He goes by Elvis- 

Was out in Dallas somewhere on vacation playing pool with some swiss people he accidentally met.

He runs into them more than I do. 

Half drunk 

He slurred 

“Tino 

I want you to know that you are the most genuine person I have ever met, and I mean it I really do. 

You always did you ever since you were little 

And the reason I can have these man to man convos with you 

Is because you are one. 

I love you son.”