sheep in wolf's clothing

i am one of the boys who wears cologne and chains
manspreading on the subways, face stoic and voice silent
walking into the men’s room like i own the place
men dap me up like i’m one of the bros
and women make sure not to accidentally brush my leg
when they sit next to me on the bus or train

you are a man now, i remind myself again and again
you cannot be weak. you cannot be vulnerable
you are one of the hunters, not one of the hunted
you are fearsome, not one of the afraid

and yet i fear the day that somebody realizes
that i am no man—i am a sheep
and, as the laws of nature preordained,
the wolves will eat me alive