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Tears Leave Dusty Trails

Tears leave dusty trails down a cheek Unhindered by Papa's stern admonition, Says boys do not cry; makes a man weak. Sometimes conscience feels a tweak Where do broken hearts find consolation? Tears leave dusty trails down a cheek. Can a boy know this strength he seeks? Despite unbending Papa's consternation Says boys do not cry; makes a man weak. Papa's words come with a sharp streak A boy needs understanding, consideration Tears leave dusty trails down a cheek. Gathering tears pool like in a rocky creek Papa allows boy no room for affirmation Says boys do not cry; makes a man weak. Papa doesn't want his boy to be meek Papa says the boy is making a reputation Says boys do not cry; makes a man weak, Tears leave dusty trails down a cheek. written February 16, 2022

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Regina Mcintosh

Date: 2/24/2022 5:20:00 AM

Wow. Love this!!! Amazing writing. Love, Gina - God bless you!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 2/24/2022 7:48:00 AM

Thanks so much, Gina. I'm afraid there is too much of this foolishness between fathers and sons.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 2/23/2022 10:07:00 AM

There is still much pressure for boys to be stone soldiers in the feelings department, sadly this does a disservice to men and their feelings. "Papa's words come with a sharp streak A boy needs understanding, consideration Tears leave dusty trails down a cheek." Well done.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 2/23/2022 11:00:00 AM

I had my own father in mind when I wrote this, Caren. I don't know what he had against tears. I think when he was the cause of them, he had a guilty conscience!

Swetha Vangaveti

Date: 2/23/2022 1:35:00 AM

I wanna find this person who first said that boys don't or shouldn't cry!! How much pressure on little one's heads! They can't share, they can't cry. Depressed children make no happy adults. This poem should be read out louder.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 2/23/2022 7:58:00 AM

I agree wholeheartedly. I think I had my own father in mind when I wrote this poem, for that is pretty much how he saw it. Thanks for your thoughtful read and your kind comment, Swetha. As I said, I couldn't agree more.