
Scorned by ignorance
Beauty envied by men and women alike
A boy like no other
Cursed with fortune’s gift
In darkness he finds home
He knows where to hide
Desired by perverse men and priests of pretence
Abused by an amah
Scarred and molested!
He skulks away from love
More than once bitten
Traumas he will carry deep into his grave
A victim stained with shame
Boy in a girl’s world!
.

Silent tears
No one to turn to
Pariah
Sadje’s what do you see
© judeitakali
From childhood the little boy is taught,
that to be male is to be strong.
And to show weakness, is a betrayal of his gender.
But the boy is rarely taught the deeper meaning of strength,
that it goes far beyond the physical.
And so he often suffers in silence.
Afraid to show or tell his story of abuse.
P.S
A double Ennead poem for Colleen’s syllabic challenge.
- 99syllables,
- 33 per stanza
- (6/5/11/6/5) syllable count per stanza
Oh wow! I really love your take on this image. Yes boys are often taught the wrong values. Thanks for joining in my friend
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The fading priviledge the boychild has enjoyed, has blinded most of the world around to the traumas that they can suffer.
That being said, my first instinct was to write about the girlchild because they have it far worse but for once I’d read other submissions b4 writing mine, and the girl was impeccably represented, so I decided to shine some light on this.
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You did it so well. The feelings are so real.
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Too good. Loved this👌👌
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Thank you so much Ramya 🙏🏾🧡
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Wow beautifully said ✨
I always pity the guys!! They are often told to hide their feeling and not show their weak sides, not to wear makeup, not to act shy, not to like colors that girls like so they often end up with black!! Like seriously, who decides gender based on such silly things. Who? Who are they to decide what a guy or girl should do? I think people need to understand this.
Thank you so much for making this loud with your most beautiful words!
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I’m so happy you feel deeply about this Pavithra 🧡. Often equality focuses on the gender divide and yet even within genders, not all are equal.
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True words!! ❤️
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Trauma and abuse is genderless and no one’s should be ignored. Your words go a long way towards opening eyes and hearts to show compassion where there is only shame and judgment. Beautifully written, Jude.
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Thank you so much Dora. You’ve said it so beautifully.
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This is a very compelling poem, Jude.
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Thank you so much Roberta.
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Very thought provoking… Sad but true… Thanks for sharing 🙃
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Thank you for reading too🧡
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Loved your take on the picture. I always thought of gender biases favouring men. Your poem has opened my eyes.
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Thank you so much. There’s always more than one side to the story.❤️
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Such heartbreaking tales! ‘But the boy is rarely taught the deeper meaning of strength,/that it goes far beyond the physical.’ That’s so true. Perhaps that’s why suicide is more common among men. They bottle up all that pain and have no outlet as they believe they need to appear ‘brave.’ So sad! Great poetry, though.
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I didn’t know suicide is more common amongst men but I more than accept the logic of your theory that they bottle it all up till it leads to their demise
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Such a brilliant writing Jude !! Absolutely in love with this ..
I loved every single line of the poem !!
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Thanks so much Nima. I’m glad you like it 😊🧡💜
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I loved it Jude 😊
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Sadly true, well written Jude. 🙂
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Thank you so much Rez😌🧡🌷
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I enjoyed reading this. Amen to all these comments. I often think about these ideas and I wish that humankind wasn’t so strict on such silly things that don’t need to be there. Thanks for sharing. Brilliantly written.
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I love the comments too, and agree with you as well. Thank you so much Lilin❤️😌🧡💜🌷
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Love the “meaning” you wove in both stories, Jude. Love the way you think!! xo
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Aww, thank you so much Amy. I’m glad you like it 😊🧡
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Very well written !!
So true
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Thank you Era. I’m glad you agree
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😊😊
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Our gender roles are very restrictive. I can feel the deep emotions in your words. (K)
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Thank you K. I’m glad you appreciate this 😊❤️
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Waaoo beautiful 🌼🌼
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Thank you so much ❤️🌼
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Oh! What sad truth this is but very glad you shared this. Beautifully written, Jude
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Thank you so much Michaela. Yeah it is sad.
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The range of human emotions knows no gender. However, many people think that chronic sadness and depression only affect women. There is an assumption that depression is a sign of weakness and many people wrongly associate weakness with the female gender. Depression in men is common but often difficult to diagnose. such a nice post.
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Thank you so much. Very astutely explained. I agree 🧡❤️
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Welcome 😊
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An excellent approach to the prompt, Jude! Hurt isn’t gender-specific and men tend to hide their emotions more so than women because of archaic mindsets. Unfortunately, this is carried from generation to generation.
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It has its pros and cons but yeah, sad.
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While I am not active in a particular community that I belong too… two of the leaders are splitting off from the main group because one of the other leaders is blatantly prejudice. While my ‘friends’ are in support of all peoples no matter what color of the rainbow they choose to be.
On a lighter note. I had once read of a little boy whose parents had let him grow his hair (very long) and it was his choice in grade school to get it cut and donate his locks to one of the many organizations that make wigs for folks with cancer who have lost their own hair.
You treated a delicate subject with grace. We can only hope that healing can eventually occur and that our world focus more on similarities that differences.
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I love your message Jules. Focusing on similarities🧡💜
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Jude, this is amazing poetry. You have skillfully coaxed out a mixture of feelings from this image. Excellent. ❤
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Thank you so much Colleen.
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You’re welcome. You’re an excellent poet, Jude. ❤️
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Thank you so much Colleen
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