He is Just a Boy 

By Lusitana Loeak

inspired by “Misogyny” by James Atkins 

They don’t understand him 

A boy, weeping for help

Prudence all around him 

Unable to point fingers, though it’s no one 

No words can describe the softness accompanied by ache in his heart– 

It’s a cup sitting in the sink, overflowed with water 

Avoided by each person 

Forced to spill his thoughts out 

They strive to figure him out

Difficult to form the proper words 

They don’t understand him 

A boy in abundance of unhealthy thoughts 

This was something more 

Everything is attacking at once

He wasn’t able to articulate 

A side whispers it’s okay not to be okay 

The other screams you're a man!

Men don’t cry 

But he is just a boy 

Everything is attacking at once

They don’t understand him

I understand him