I won't cry.

New poetry.

              




                                      I won't cry

My father told me. Men don't cry.  We accept life like good soldiers and stand tall in the hard days. I saw my father cry for three lost boys to drugs and hard times. I saw my father holding his sick baby girl who die at eighteen months. My father did cry.

I was like my father. Stone-cold and hard. I lived life without fear and caring for my final ending. In 1988 and in 1989. Hard man learn  life wasn't him. He wasn't so important.  Suicide of two brothers made cold heart turn soft. Too late to had listen, too late to had pay attention. Too late to had showed kindness, concern and love.

My father told me. God forgive foolish men and he teaches us. We are a part of life. What we leave behind is the true wealth of a life. Men are foolish . We think are the kings of the forest and one day. We understand. Love, friends and family are the gold of a good life.

I was pissed-off and I found wars to fight. Not brave enough for suicide. I sought war and turmoil to find my final end.  I remember my Father took me to the airport. I was to be deployed for Iraq. I walked away from him at the airport in Virginia. I turned around and I saw my father's tears fall for me.

In the mist of war. I re-learn laughter and I learn. Life was sweeter than death. My father told me once. Men don't cry. We accept life like good soldiers. He also taught me. When we love. Love will teach us how to cry. If you have a family one day son. You will know many tears.




I told my grandchild. Men don't cry and I regret the words spoke.

                          John Castellenas/Coyote

                          

Author's Note

Just words

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You speak of so much tragedy and loss dear Coyote- it breaks my heart. Fathers like yours and mine didn't cry, couldn't find their words and often became frustrated enough to use their fists with their children. War, streets and whiskey made them "Stone-cold and hard". Life broke them down until they finally did cry. Your own story is amazing and I deeply thank you for your service in Iraq. You loved, you cried, you learned. God always bless you and your beautiful family. Magnificent poem! Thank you so much for this.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Annette. Life will teach us what we need.

[kentuck14]

A very moving and vulnerable piece . . .thanks and congratulations.
T

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you my friend for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Hi]

A piece of loss, but light; a message probably given in trying to protect; now maybe can be passed on, but improved. Thanks.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Matt. Life is a constant teacher. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[amyo]

I can relate to this piece. I have rarely seen my father cry. He is a strong man. The few times I've seen my dad cry are times that he showed his love, my graduation, wedding day, births of his grandchildren.

I can feel the emotion throughout and can hear the words "Men don't cry." My favorite lines are, "When we love. Love will teach us how to cry." Fathers can certainly be soldiers who protect and fight, but can cry, too. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for reading and the comment. I appreciate the comment.

[Maria]

Wow that was really deep. Touches the heart and soul.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Maria for reading and the comment. I do appreciate.

[Maria]

Sure thing

[Zephyr]

Letting our tears out solves half of all the problems.
I loved reading this Coyote:)
It is so full of emotions withheld.
Thank you so much for sharing:)

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Neetha and I agree with you. We need tears.

[Zephyr]

You are welcome:)

[Dave]

Our tears very often show just how much we care. I know men aren't supposed to cry, but I know few who haven't. I've experienced a wonderful sunset or moon rise and they were so beautiful I found tears streaming down my cheeks.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Dave. We need tears.

[wordman]

i guess we are taught young and it follows us through life ,we learn later all we was taught is not always true,we are emotional after all

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right my friend. Time and life teach us. Tears are needed. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Poetic License]

Okay, I literally cried right out loud. This touched me so very deeply my dear friend. I also grew up with a father who taught us not to cry.

"My father told me once. Men don't cry. We accept life like good soldiers. He also taught me. When we love. Love will teach us how to cry."

This single line said everything for me. I just don't even have any words to stammer properly for the deep emotions it invokes.

So well done. So much to consider, my head will be swimming for days, and by the end, there may be writing of my own that comes out of it all.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear friend. It is sad we teach our children to hide tears and their emotions.

[Heather]

This by far is just beautiful. So much strength behind your words. Amazing job for sure. I love the emotion in this piece, Made me feel as though I was there during those situations. I one for truly believe it is beautiful when a man shows his emotion towards those who affected his life in a dramatic way

[Coyote Poetry]

Tear mean we are alive and thank you Heather for reading and the comment.