Grin and Bear it

Grin and bear it, they tell us, this isn’t about you. We’ll tell you how to sit, where to stand, how to speak, what to care about. It’s not about you. Grin and bear it.

Seven in ten lost at their own hand will be your brothers, your fathers, your sons, grin and bear it. It’s not about you. You’re toxic, you’re broken, you’re a predator, we’ll fix you.

Three in ten of your brothers will despair, lose hope, sink low but less than one of those three will seek help. Grin and bear it. It’s not about you. Your tears feed us, we don’t want to hear it.

Six in ten of those without a place in our society will be your sons. They’ll have no shelter, no help, that’s our due. Grin and bear it. It’s not about you. Fight our wars, give your blood, that’s all we need.

Sit down, be quiet, behave, listen, grin and bear it. Don’t bottle it up, I don’t want to hear it. You’re dangerous, we need you. You’re disposable, we can do without. Why are you mad, what’s the problem, you are. Grin and bear it.