Love.
A word.
Not so very strange.
A word from which, darling,
I’ve been ever so estranged.
Not because I’m unloved—
Heavens no—
That would be a lie,
But because, despite my smile,
I cry—I wonder why
I want to die.
And, even though I know it’s a lie,
No matter how damn hard I try
To tell myself, “Love, it’s okay to cry”,
I still suck it up like a man—
No need to ask why—
And hide those tears inside the sky.
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Online) - Published: July 5th, 2025 07:45
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 21
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Damaso, Teddy.15, Poetic Licence, Cheeky Missy
Online)
Comments8
Intricate rhyme woven in a persistently formed gender specific cultural training of male toughness and emotionlessness image that persists despite knowledge to its contrary. How persistent is the effects of cultural expectation and past learning. How we are stuck in the cement of our past learning and culture. Even the roots of knowledge have a hard time breaking cracks in this pavement. Very nice a fave
Indeed. Thank you my friend. Even as I try to unlearn that learning...it is damn hard! Thank you so much for your read, thoughtfully astute analysis, and the esteemed fave! Much appreciated! ☁️🧍♂️💧🙏
We all should all feel we can cry .. without that feeling of ‘ we can’t ‘ or being worried about upsetting others , or feeling embarrassed .
‘ Sometimes ‘ others can make us feel bad for letting our emotions out ..
A good writing )
Indeed they can, my friend. Thank you so much for your time, your understanding, and your support! ☁️🧍♂️💧🙏
Inside the Sky, it's a very big sky. I always find as a woman any good man really does put it all on his shoulders and carries it regardless of any obstacles, I see the behind the scenes here and it's fabulous, fabulous in the fact that you have made it come alive with all its tragedy and with so much dignity. Now I know you have a very very kind heart and I also know that your an artist of great talent. As a woman I appreciate what a great man goes through, I see it every day but not all women can see it, and you have just shown the world. 💜
And like that, you draw tears back down from the sky and put them in my eyes—right where they've always belonged. Thank you for seeing me, dear Teddy, and for also being such an encouragement and support. I appreciate in more ways than words can express. ☁️🧍♂️💧🙏
May your mourning turn to dancing, and your sorry turn joy.
Thank you my dear friend! 🙏☁️🧍♂️💧🙏
Now, guy in that pic (is it Tom D? Noooo) but he needs a brolly! lol.
Oh...he needs a major brolly! LOL! ☁️🧍♂️💧🙏
Very relatable write, I am fully aware I can show my feelings its ok these days, but I very rarely do, all my crying has always as an adult been on the inside, I know I shouldn't but I still percieve it to be a weekness and it makes me feel vulnerable, nicely expressed and written
Me too. I suck it up, try to shove it down, and move on. Yet, that is not what helps us move on. It just further traumatizes us. Sigh. Vicious cycle! Thank you, my dear friend, for deeply getting this and being willing to share. That's what it is all about, imho! ☁️🧍♂️💧🙏 Thank you for your courage.
You are very welcome
Excellent write Tristan
Thank you, Tony! ☁️🧍♂️💧🙏
You're welcome
While I've never had any problem in that direction (beyond the occasional ridicule in more youthful times), Your short poem states in the clearest possible terms the pressure placed on men to behave in socially constructed norms, so perhaps this topic cannot be raised too often.
Valuable write, Tristan.
I am glad you haven't, truly! That is such a great thing and I am learning to get there. But it is such a very hard "learned thing" to unlearn. And after one cries, it always feels good. So, duh! 🤣 Anyway, thank you so much Dave for sharing and valuing. Much appreciated, mate! 🤣
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