May I be a man.
Whose confidence comes from the depth of my giving.
Who understands that vulnerability is my greatest strength.
Who creates space rather than dominates it.
Who appreciates listening more than knowing.
Who seeks kindness over control.
Who cries when the grief is too much.
Who refuses the slap, the gun, the choke,
the insult, the punch.
May I not be afraid to get lost.
May I cherish touch more than performance.
And the experience more than getting there.
May I move slowly not abruptly.
May I be brave enough to share my fear and shame.
And gather the other men to do the same.
May I stop pretending and
open the parts of me that have long been numb.
May I cherish, respect and love my mother.
May the resonance of that love translate
into loving all women and living things.
Love.
—Eve Ensler
To watch a short film by Tony Stroedbel of the “Man Prayer” being recited in a dozen languages (with subtitles) by a multiracial, multigeneraltional group of men and boys go to breakthrough.tv/video/man-prayer-words-by-eve-ensler/
