A man to be trusted—ah, who can find?!

Perhaps only ten such come to each generation

(isn't that just what the rabbis say?).

They are more precious than stock options,

but most who marry don't find them.

Few are those who share in the household,

rising before dawn if a child should cry,

without expecting their heads to be patted,

for doing what wives do every single day.

At work, a good man remembers his values;

he does not check his ethics at the door of success.

He hires women workers, and promotes them;

he does not regard breast size or grey hairs.

In board rooms, he is discretion and compromise;

he knows when to be political

for those with access denied there.

He does not sign reports he knows are untrue;

design flaws and shortfalls he does not conceal

Even though he must think of his family,

for a good man knows he can count on support

from his mother, his spouse, sisters, daughters!

At home, he can mend and cook and clean;

he knows his way through the supermarket aisles,

and remembers his cats' special diets.

He knows about taxes, and credit and lawyers,

and teaches females the ways of his brothers.

Sisters, all ages, rise up and say,

'Many men give lip service,

but we see their acts!

We see their wives coming home tired,

to do household tasks, while they relax

content to be cushioned by her 'extra' paycheck.

But you are our equal, at home and at work:

you are compassion, you are a man!'

Cherish him, sisters, should you find him,

for he is very rare;

Praise him at feminist gatherings, saying,

'Taste these! My mate himself made this brownie!'

Carole R. Fontaine