A Boy Is Taught, A Man Learns As a boy, I was taught never to cry;That a tear signifies weakness, when it falls from your eye. And as a boy, I was taught pain was irrelavent;That it should never be felt, or even made evident. And as a boy, I was taught emotions are dangerous;That if I let them take control, my life will be strenuous. --Now-- As a man, I have learned a new level of respect;That tears are divine. For even Christ Jesus wept. And as a man, I have learned that struggle is prevalent;That pain is natural, and each life has pain in it. And as a man, I have learned to think with my heart;That emotions are necessary for a real man to live smart.
This poem is talking about me! That was exactly how I was raised. It was only much later that I learned differently.