Big Boys Do Cry

(my reflections age 8) (archives)

Jokes were fluent

from his tongue,

out they'd tumble

one by one,

they didn't fall

they didn't break

but yes at times

they made you ache

with laughter as they

filled the room,

our clown could slay

a mood of gloom.     

But once I saw him

quite alone,

his hand fixed to

the telephone.

I peeped behind 

the kitchen door

to see him slumped

across the floor.

I saw the tears roll

down his cheeks

and as they fell my

legs grew weak.

I felt that sorrow

as it filled

my frightened eyes

soon brimmed and spilled,

that day I saw a grown

man cry, I felt inside

I'd surely die.

Author's Note

I am having problems with my poem posting. This is supposed to be in three stanzas, but it might come out as one long scarf, which is not what I intended :))

Reviews

[R.J Calzonetti (Siniste..]

You said reflections, age 8. Does that mean you looked back on this event that happened, or that you wrote this at age 8? Since the poem flows so excellently, I suppose you wrote it later on. But please do clear that up, I might be silly to be confused, but I may not be the only one.

Now, for the poem.

Sometimes simple words are the most complex and powerful. You nailed this one in terms of flow, and the meaning behind the poem.

It is melancholy, but the message is necessary. As a young man, I cry occasionally. Everyone is weak enough to cry at some point in their life. It is a sign of strength to overcome sadness by experiencing it, rather than turning away.

Thank you for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for your thorough review. I never wrote a poem until I was 40. This is a memory, my reflections on seeing a man cry for the first time when I was eight years old. I was brought up in the days of stiff upper lip. It was unheard of. Pleased to say it has changed now. Crying is an normal expression of sadness. It shouldn't be hidden.

Chris

[HadesRising]

Heart wrenching and very emotional. Very good poem. Well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for checking this one out HadesRising. I could say I appreciate your visit. Some might think that dark :)

Chris

[Weeping willow]

Your words filled my heart with emotions as I read them, very touching write of memories ;-]

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Weeping willow, many thanks for your thoughtful review. All good wishes.

Chris

[LE Berry]

The emotions you've expressed here so well, are quite tangible Christine. The fact that tears were mostly forbidden as something necessary for men to experience is a striking truth.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, sadly at that time that stiff upper lip was well and truly apparent. Men didn't cry. Thank you so much for your response. Much appreciated.

Chris

[NotUsinganymore]

Very nice poem c: Sometimes we take things for granted and don't know the suffering of our parents.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks JungLee. Certainly at that age you would have no idea. Appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Mr. D]

They say keeping up walls keeps out bad things in life, but also keeps out the joy. I disagree. Keeping up walls keeps the bad stuff out and lets you filter what you let in.

I know that's not the point of this poem, but a man who keeps up walls outwardly is dealing with severe inner turmoil inside, and people are only too quick to shame him for those things and tell him any number of things which do not contribute in the slightest to his betterment.

I like this. Good job. :)

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Mr D for your visit and sharing your thoughts. Most appreciated. Pleased that you liked my work.

All good wishes.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it worked...and i realized it was looking back...and felt it was seeing your dad cry...
i was always baffled and really upset when i saw my dad cry...he was always the strong one...always.
and really didn't cry until he was much older...and remembering his dad.
this really moved me...Gwendolyn Brooks used to do this a lot...write from the perspective of a child...she was so good at it...you deliver as well.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, it was my Dad. It was unheard of. I felt at odds with it because he was supposed to be strong. Pleased I delivered with this one and that it moved you and brought your own memories back.