To Make A Man Poem by Dennis Lange

We better our beginnings or we fail.
Though lads are lads within womb's earliest,
Takes more to make a man than being male.

Like ships at sea, we'll face an icy gale.
It's those who conquer self who pass the test.
We better our beginnings or we fail.

Sad, those who let the animal prevail.
A lad can sire but sir be still a jest.
Takes more to make a man than being male.

A fool can roam the streets and end in jail.
But fools lack skills and sense to shape a nest.
We better our beginnings or we fail.

A child will fight for toys, tooth, toenail.
Two dogs can play a game and swell a chest.
Takes more to make a man than being male.

Man's masculinity is on birth's scale.
But traits that build integrity are best.
We better our beginnings or we fail.
Takes more to make a man than being male.