This is a poem in response to this article about a fraternity at NC State that was disbanded after a notebook full of offensive content was found. And that the term "Boys will be boys" is used too liberally.
Link to article: http://www.wral.com/nc-state-fraternity-placed-on-interim-suspension-after-embarrassing-scary-book-found/14528066/
Boys Will Be Boys
Boys will be boys
they say
Boys will be boys
even when they’re holding
a gun to someone’s
throat screaming
‘second amendment”
Moldy green journal
filled with their
hearts’ desires
Southern trees that
bear strange fruit
The intimacy of
a cold body
Replacing ‘no’
for ‘yes’
Trading humanity
for lust
Stealing the innocence
of a child
hoping it replaces
their own
Boys will be boys
Their polo shirts
And pastel shorts
smell of
rotting flesh and
decomposing childhoods
But boys will be boys
Flaunting themselves like
mating flame bowerbirds
because the law
will only tickles
them on their noses
Boys will be boys
Boys will be boys
as long as they
don’t paint their
hands crimson
when the cameras
are rolling
But remember boys
will be boys
Quite disturbing, however we have the freedom of speech here in America.
ReplyDelete“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
― S.G. Tallentyre, The Friends of Voltaire
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very strong poem. It says so much in one poem. It leaves the reader thinking.
ReplyDelete"Southern trees that
ReplyDeletebear strange fruit"
Very evocative imagery. Excellent commentary about the situation with that fraternity and many others like it where not just racism, but misogyny often reigns supreme.
This poem is filled with such sadness and the sad part is that things like this happen in our society and the term "boys will be boys" is being widely accepted.
ReplyDeleteThis poem has a very strong tone. I can also feel your passion for this topic. It's quite sad some of the things that were said, but some is true. Then we have to also keep in mind that difference between a boy and a man.
ReplyDeleteThe theme of this poem seems to be the criticism of males and their actions. One line in particular questions the ego that men have.
ReplyDelete