Why Don't You Cry?
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Not everyone has any easy time crying. In fact, some people work very hard to never cry. At least, they work very hard not to be seen crying. This can be especially true for men and boys. Many have been raised to believe the fallacy that "real men don't cry". Though times are changing, there still is a lot of pressure for men to "man up", to stand alone.
The problem exists for women as well. While it has historically been more acceptable for women to cry, society is changing. They are expected to be more independent, self-sufficient and self-supporting than ever before. Women have always been viewed as being more in touch with their emotions than men. However, with women taking a larger role in the workplace, staying single longer and divorce forcing women to be independent, this may be changing. This simple poem is dedicated to one such woman.
Why Don't You Cry?
It's a mystery to me
I want to know why
that you work so hard
to keep your cheeks dry
It's simply a wonder
just how hard you try
to stifle the feelings
that should make you cry
If you're feeling sad
or you've taken a blow
don't you know it's alright
to let the tears flow?
Or something so simple
an apt word or kind touch
can make your eyes glisten
it can move you so much
Maybe you're just happy
and your heart with joy fills
it's a natural reaction
to let those tears spill
Crying's a good thing
'cause you bare your soul
and then follows healing
it helps you be whole
Those feelings you keep
locked up deep inside
keep prisoner the tears
that should have been cried
So don't be ashamed
should your cheeks get wet
for it's long past time
your tears and you met
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Gosh you are writing to a woman that cries about everything..lol..great poem..great hub...voted up..debbie
Thanks, Sheila. I appreciate that. There are all kinds of reasons to cry and not all sad!
Hi Debbie, I suspect you're not the exception. This poem was written for one that definitely is! Thanks for taking the time to comment and vote it up.
A simply delightful hub. I had to grab the Kleenex box:-) but kidding apart my friend. I am a Man and a tough skinned hard headed poet at that. I will admit that I have cried bitter tears over many issues in my life, or a sensitive movie or song.
I am proud to admit that my tear ducts work fine. Any man who says he doesn't cry is fabricating the real truth:-) I have enjoyed my tears at times and it's cleansed my soul and from there I've moved on. But Heck yeah, this poet cries. I loved this piece, bravo Voted UP, awesome and beautiful, now where is that crying button for me to click. LoL
Thanks, Vincent! I'm right there with you my friend. There was a day I would push the tears down but now am willing to shed a drop or two when appropriate. Life is too damn short not to express them whether they are tears of sadness or joy! Thanks for taking the time to read me. I'm looking forward to a lot of great writing from you, my poetic friend!
I am moved to tears over just about anything. I have respect for a man who can cry and not be embarrassed. Beautiful poem.
Thanks, Mary. I know it wasn't easy for me to learn to let go this way. My father was career military and, though a fine man, taught his boys the old-fashioned way. While there was a lot of good in his example, stuffing your emotions wasn't one of them. Thanks for reading, my friend. Have a great day!
I am invested in the Kleenex Company and should be rich anytime. I am such a sap. The commercials make me tear up. I do not go around blubbering but I do get tears on occasions, tears fill my eyes and happen to go down my cheeks. Not a lot... Just enough to need some Kleenex. ?Oh… maybe someone will notice...” are you crying?" “Oh no! I am not crying, must be those allergies”... lol
I say let it out!I love a man who can cry..
Thanks for a great hub!
Sunnie
I am a crier from way back--nice write!!!
Sunnie, Why does it not surprise me that you are a softy? Who would have guessed? I've pulled the allergy excuse too. Thanks for reading. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Audrey, thanks so much. I suspect most women are, at least more that the woman who inspired this piece. It struck me because most women aren't even remotely as stoic as this woman is. Anyway, glad to have you stop by.
BTW, I visited your blog the other day. You've done a nice job with a lot of very good writing on there. I've bookmarked it so I can read some more when I have the time.
Aww--thank you! I was going to link it to my profile here, but I can't figure out how to do that yet--techno--less
I loved this poem , I voted all the way , except funny , great write! :)
Thanks, Jami! I know I can always count on you to read everything I write. I also know you'll say something nice to say, even if you don't like it! ;) Thanks so much, dear friend.
Beautiful poem about being a human. I loved it so much. Voted up and sharing. Thanks for writing a creative hub.
I have to agree with everyone above, and as a man I learned early on the usual expectations of being a "man", However even to the point of showing a stone-like exterior a man may be disintegrating inside . And even more than that I believe , this internal freeze point only serves to alter permenantly his emotional timing! Perhaps thats why old and iron like soldiers cry when they lift up a new born child , In some ways today alot of this has changed , its the newest 'in thing' for guys to hug each other or cry in public. We are becoming far more a "touchy feely" society , maybe thats a good thing who knows. I once watched a woman screaming , yelling , and pounding on the chest of her husband pleading for him to tell her how he felt! She was all broke up ....and he never even changed his expression, this is a great subject matter ! I think you could write a dozen lengthy hubs about it ! A hub about breaking down emotional bariers? Because thats all they are. Great job!
tarajeyaram, I am so glad you liked it. There are certain topics pretty much everyone can relate to, whether they're willing to admit it or not and this is one of them. Thanks for taking the time to read it and comment.
ahorseback, I'm sure there is a center point there somewhere, an equilibrium that we each need to find between being strong and expressing our emotions. I think most men were like you and me and a little, if not a lot, out of balance. The pendulum swings both ways and one extreme is probably no better than the other. Thanks for taking the time to leave such an insightful comment!
It is really hard for people who cannot cry to express their grief. Your words flow so well they do justice to the theme.
Senoritaa, thanks so much. You are right and tears are used to express much more than sadness and grief. There is a whole spectrum of emotions which can result in tears. We all need to be willing and able to cry when appropriate. Thanks for reading me. Have a great day!
I cry when i'm happy, I cry when i'm sad..I can't imagine a day without tears..I loved this. You are such a GREAT poet..Thank you...
Thanks for that, Ruby. You've made my day a lot brighter!
wow..it felt like i knew what the poem would say next, its such a great poem, thanks for sharing..i really felt emotionally attached to your poem as i read it word by word.. crying is such a powerful emotion and i do feel the pain of the ones who are unable to express their feelings through their tears.
ScRuTTy, thank you. This is an issue for a lot of people. I know, I include myself in that group. Fortunately, I've come a long way in learning to express myself and let the tears flow when needed. I'm really glad you liked it, though. Thanks for commenting.
A great poem and thank you so much for sharing.
Take care and enjoy your day.
Eddy.
Eiddwen, and thank you for your kind words. You have a great day too!
"So don't be ashamed
should your cheeks get wet
for it's long past time
your tears and you met"
I love this, Rick! Truly a heart warming string of thoughts . . . though i have the exact opposite problem. I cry a little too much!
setareh, thanks for reading and I'm glad you liked it. You could have worse problems than crying to much. Better to cry too much than too little. Thanks for visiting.
The poem could have been about me, so it speaks to me. Maybe it is the big sister to four younger brothers that just can't break down, lol. Great...again.
Jackie, I am the youngest of four brothers and no sisters. So I can relate to acting tough from a different perspective. Thanks again for reading!
Tears dwell up in my eyes and fall down my cheeks over just about anything. I can't help it. This was such a lovely poem Rick, and I do agree; "Crying's a good thing 'cause you bare your soul and then follows healing it helps you be whole." Hugs!
I love your poem! I do cry easily from a spark of memory especially to events that had hurt me most. Small sad thoughts, sudden things we don't want to see, touching feelings we feel, we react with tears flooding our eyes. I often tell my friends, "If you want a good cry, watch Vision Canada and shows about adopting an animal." You will be stabbed right to your heart and cry more than a bucketful looking through those innocent eyes! But I tell them again, I do not really want to watch these shows because they are so heartbreaking. I do not want to be crying alone again in front of the t.v. and feeling miserable the whole time. I just feel helpless. But then to give me a flicker of hope and bring back my smile, I think again that these shows have the good side in them for it touches multiple beating hearts around the globe.
Crying balances with happiness too for the tears of joy!
Up Awesome, Beautiful and Useful, Poetic Fool. Just so completely true. As time passes; all of us are encouraged not to be "sappy," that it's 'uncool' to have real, raw emotions. We're encouraged to be on top of everything and never surprised by anything. To be sarcastic, ironic and jaded but never..NEVER to be sensitive. Well, maybe I exaggerate a bit but, as society becomes more numb and removed; so do our emotions. In many discussions; even here on HP's, the argument tends to veer away from emotion and towards logic...always seeming to suggest that control; reason is superior to feelings. I believe nature seeks a balance; and this includes crying. Crying is a carthartic action; it relieves, allows to be vulnerable...not always 'cool, calm and collected.' Great poem...I hope your friend learns to let go. Thank you for this one. Kathy
Thank you, Sannel! I sure a gentle spirit such as yourself is easily moved to tears. For some of us it is not so natural and, as in my case, learned after many years of frustration. Thank you, my friend, for your kinds words.
Thanks for the interesting and insightful comments, coffeegginmyrice! I know just how you feel about those shows that appeal to our sensitive sides and they are heartbreaking and tearjerkers. I find I must turn the channel when the commercials come on because they can make you feel sad so quickly. You are right, all tears are not from sadness but can also be from joy. Here's hoping we both with have much more of the latter than the former!
Hi, Kathy! Maybe you do exaggerate some but in many cases, especially for men, you don't. I know I was brought up that men gut it out and don't cry. Holding it in isn't healthy mentally or physically. Crying is a great stress reliever on both levels. As you say, it is quite cathartic. I do appreciate you stopping by to read and comment on my poem. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Another marvel from you Rick!
I would be honest here to say that I cry... but I cry alone... Crying is good... practically and emotionally, crying eases the pain... one should cry...
I have a method of crying... I cry in my washroom in front of the mirror...That is how I do not feel alone :)
beautiful write
Thank you, Rahul! You're too kind. I'll have to try your mirror technique next time I feel the tears welling up and I don't want to be alone! Thank for reading, my friend.
wonderful1 Level 5 Commenter 4 months ago
Another beautiful poem, Rick. I love the creative side of you coming out. And I agree: if you gotta cry, let it out!