Boys Never Cry: A Poem

Boys Never Cry

~ Farhanaz Parvin

He has tears in the corner of his eyes, 
But those tears never come out, 
Because they are hidden behind 
"A STRONG SMILE" 
Yes, a smile which is fake. 
For the society says: 
"BOYS NEVER CRY."

Smiling and jumping with happiness, 
Beaming with extravagant light. 
He came back from school hoping-
That his father would take him for a movie, 
But his father couldn't make it. 
And he couldn't resist: 
He tried his best to pull his tears in, 
But they rolled down his cheeks shamelessly. 
His mother patted his back asking him to be strong, 
Because according to her and this society-
"BOYS NEVER CRY."

His eyes are welling up with tears, 
But they don't fall down-
As the path is blocked by society . 
They say: "Cry inside, cry on your own, 
Cover yourself. Don't show your tears to the world, 
You have to be tough, for "BOYS NEVER CRY" 

Years passed by- there were times , 
He was shattered like broken mirror, 
With all the pieces making him bleed. 
He was devastated much as if 
He was lost amidst a dark forest. 
But still he pulled his tears back, 
For according to the world, full of fantasies:
"BOYS NEVER CRY." 

Now, he was a family man, 
At times when he wanted to weep-
His tears took the form of rage and anger. 
Out of frustration, once he slapped his little son-
Who burst into tears seeing his daddy's anger, 
And his daddy shouted- 
"STOP! BOYS NEVER CRY!" 
He had just one question-
"WHY CAN'T BOYS CRY ?"
Don't they have a heart? 

Don't they have emotions? 
They have, right? 

Then- Why can't a boy cry? 
Why can't they express their emotions as a rainy cloud? 
Why can't they shower them out loud? 

Let them wash their emotions. Let them cry.
Crying knows no gender. Crying is not a sin. 
It is as normal as summer rain. 

Don't block their path of tears, 
O Society! It is absolutely ALRIGHT

For "BOYS TO CRY."

About the Author:

Farhanaz Parvin, a science student of XI standard at Modern High School for Girls, Kolkata, loves to write poems and short stories. Emily Dickinson is her idol. She has an unmatchable love for reading books. Truthfulness and straightforwardness make her potent for public speaking. She is ardently passionate for cricket.