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

[J.M.Fields]

I find this really touching actually. I don't have much to say expect I had a smile on my face when I was done. I felt that. I understood that.

[Chris Shaw]

You know, I smiled too that you left a comment. Always pleased that a reader checks in and I thank you for that. Pleased you called.

Chris

[Carol Cashes]

Even the most cheerful of hearts cannot escape life's sorrow. This epiphany experienced at such a young age would have been difficult to understand for some time. The child whose psyche received this "blow" was changed in ways that would impact many others when at aged 40 she wrote her first poem!

[ms. understood]

To feel pain is to be human, the rawness of emotions make us the people we are. It is so hard to watch those we love be in pain. But it is a part of life and the best thing you can do is be their shoulder to cry on. Great write as always!!!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. Wisdom in your words.

Chris

[Vin]

Wow! Short yet sharp. And grown men do cry. I do!

[Chris Shaw]

Crying is not a weakness in my opinion. It is an expression of sadness. Many thanks for your visit vin.

Chris

[Wondering Mind]

This somehow reminded me of the late Robin Williams.
They say those who joke the most are the saddest souls...and yes, I know first hand that big boys do cry

[Chris Shaw]

How lovely to mention Robin Williams. What an incredible human being he was. So sadly missed. Let those tears flow to express sadness, I say. Thank you Wondering Mind. Happy for your thoughts and visit.

Chris

[Toni.S]

Beautiful writing, very visual.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for reviewing. Much appreciated.

Chris

[LitStar]

nice to see a taste of the macabre from you


I hadnt come across any horror until now I don't think


even this hint of it serves this write refreshingly well

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks LitStar for your revew. All good wishes.

Chris

[emipoemi]

they are three stanzas - three good ones at that. The third has a bit of a weird line break at the end, but other than that this is great. It doesn't do quite that much justice to the title as the title itself sets up, but it's good nonetheless. Well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your review emipoemi. pleased you checked in. All good wishes.

Chris

[emipoemi]

my pleasure

[LazerRays]

Hmm, most class clowns I know are secretly sensitive; using humor as a shield. It breaks my heart because two of my friends are that way; including myself. I haven't been on in so long, but it's nice to read something so relatable like this.

[Chris Shaw]

Sarah, it is good to see you back. Thank you for being able to relate to these lines.

Chris

[LazerRays]

Thank you, and your poem was very emotionally attaching

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Seeing a grown man cry and especially when one who you've felt strong enough to control the tears...and from the point of view of a child, certainly heart touching. This reminds me of the time when I first saw my father cry, even though I wasn't a little kid, but still unnerving, even to recall now. The masks society makes men wear does slip at times, and stays with those who witness the face behind the mask...
You always cover sensitive topics which I rarely find written on in here, Christine. Nicely penned.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dr Y. I think it is often unnerving when we see our parents cry, but it shouldn't be. All they are doing is expressing their sadness. No different in a way to seeing them have a good belly laugh.

Chris