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

[TheJordBaker]

A powerful, personal and emotive write and it's a great talent shown here to go back in time and capture a memory and paint it for us.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous for your very positive response. Pleased to see you on my page. All good wishes.
read moreMany thank yous for your very positive response. Pleased to see you on my page. All good wishes.

Chris

[alanwgraham]

This is excellent Chris. I must admit that at times tears do well up and it tends to be things to do with family or certain films dealing with the deepest emotions. Watching others being upset can trigger tears too. Of course its not considered a 'manly' thing to do but we too are human. Strangely I discovered that the only time my father cried was when the hymn 'by cool Siloams shady rill' was sung. It was only when I saw a photo of him holding me as first born that I realised it reminded him of my christening. You have described this very well.
All the best,
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for sharing Alan. really appreciate the visit and pleased you enjoyed this write. All good wishes.

Chris

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

I loved this so much, men are told to be strong always, and to cry isnt manly. I hate how men have this idea in there head. As a woman i love a man that can show emotion. Its a strength and men shouldn't hide away...
Brilliant rhyme scheme and write

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much cimmie and I share your views. Appreciate the visit.

Chris

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

Your most welcome

[Robert Trakofler]

I think i just felt the same way as you did Chris how old is this and was your voice that... so you when you were 8? regardless the honesty and empathy of this poem is blatant and lovely pure rhyming queen supreme that moniker is almost the embodiment of you I lack a stronger name tho! Love this love this love this

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Bunny. I wrote this about five years ago, very much with my eight year old self in mind. Never forgotten how upset I was. So pleased Bunny you like it. Happy Saturday my friend.

Chris

[Richard🖌]

Ya know, Dear Chris?
You're such a splendidly skilled poetess … I cherish reading You.

Reminds me … I was brought-up in a home with little love and an unwritten rule that boys and men don't cry or show outward emotion, and your wonderfully rendered poem returns me to my own youth, I've not thought of in a very long time. What a far different man that's emerged, from the boy I was, and a most beautiful butterfly from that wee lass of eight. : )

Techy stuff: Beautifully flowing lines, in virtual syntactic perfection, highlight the vivid imagery, brilliant metaphor, and spot-on rhymes of your skillfully laid verses. It's only in V2 L10 & 12, the rhyme scheme breaks: you might consider "tears roll down his ckeek" and "my legs grew week" to sort the rhyme, also, moving "my" to the last line for a clearer line-break. V3 L2, add a comma after "filled," to keep from running-on into L3, and check the awkward line-breaks of L5 & 6 … perhaps:
"that day I saw
a grown man cry,
I felt inside I'd
… surely die!
(for smoother flow and a wee bit more emphasis and drama to the end)

Just thoughts shared … whatever, I know you can tell I've always been quite enamoured with your poetry, and most especially this particular piece in the ways it touches my heart of both You and I as youngsters … we never forget, do we, Chris?

And, thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully for sharing such poignantly personal moments from your life, with us! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Richard. I hope I didn't touch on too upsetting a subject for you. My grandparents were so loving but they did have that stiff upper lip. I'm glad that my Dad was a bit of a softie when it came to emotion. I appreciate you perusing my lines with such care and I thank you for your edit suggestions. You are quite right of course, children do not forget events such as these. Warm regards and many thanks for your visit.

Chris

[Richard🖌]

I am proud to be one your fans, Chris.
I hope my suggestions help you put the needed touches on this already excellent piece. : )

[Richard🖌]

Actually, Chris,
I think your poem touched on some unsettled things I've been needing to rethink, and It's I who sincerely thank You.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you again Richard :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Such a sad, sad tale as the child sees their mentor crumble. The powerful impact you created in this flowing freeverse is caught in the weakening of the childs knees. Such an emotive piece but it leaves one wondering what the news was?

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John, and the news was a bereavement and when he found out that I had seen him, he was even more distressed. I appreciate your ongoing support of my scribbles.

Chris

[kitty]

Some think its not 'Macho/Manly' to cry but aren't men human with a heart and soul like thE rest of us -capable of showing emotions - not necessarily behind closed doors. I admire real men who can be brave enough to feel! Nice one Christine.. Getting overcast up here. Have a good one, this week end!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks kitty. Have a lovely week-end. It is humid and dull here at the moment but I'm not complaining. We have had plenty to smile about in the last week.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

A heartfelt write here Chris. and so well expressed..nicely penned..

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Fran Marie. Your thoughts very much appreciated.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

you're welcome

[gram linski]

What's wrong with a long scarf, big boys don't cry, just ask The Cure, lol, enjoyed yer poem, Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha. Funnily enough this one printed out OK. The one about the tin turned into a scarf with no breaks :) Thanks gram. Cheers Nice glass of red on the go.

Chris

[augustus]

Forget the stanzas, this is a perfect poem. Easy to understand and enjoyable. Even though it touches on a sore subject - men crying. Thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

You are most kind augustus. Thanks for your generous review.

Chris