"soft boy." takes an intimate look at the absurdities of toxic masculinity and attempts to illustrate the need to abandon patriarchy and misogynoir as urgent, essential to Black liberation and, ultimately, in everyone's best interests. Humorous and introspective, "soft boy." is the echoing cry of a Black man desperately searching for authenticity in a world that champions performance. This book is the first collection of poetry by David A. Gaines and the fourth release by black-owned publishing house, Black Minds Publishing, LLC.