TSleeveless - "Teach a Boy to Cry" @ Voices In Power | Philadelphia | Spoken Word Poetry

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2022
  • Here's TSleeveless at our Voices In Power Poetry Open Mic Experience located in Philly on September 3, 2022.
    For more videos of amazing poetry, singers, musicians, comedians and more be sure to visit our channel and don't forget to Subscribe.
    We are currently based out of Philadelphia but also have with monthly experiences in Houston, Bronx, Miami, Camden, and are in the works of expanding to Delaware, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
    If you're interested in having us, please send your inquiry to findme@imsuperdope.com.
    Also, if you have social media, you can follow us on Instagram at @voicesinpower_, on TikTok at @voicesinpower, and like us on Facebook at Voices In Power.
    Video by @bagiimage on Instagram.
    The Place Where Artists Call Home.
    Voices In Power, LLC
    we do not own the rights to the music in this video
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ความคิดเห็น • 936

  • @masonmendoza1777
    @masonmendoza1777 ปีที่แล้ว +1881

    As a man who has felt every last feeling he described in this to a shocking degree of accuracy, this moved me to tears. Raw, heartfelt, absolutely fantastic. Thank you for articulating this so that maybe, just maybe, some will start to understand.

    • @kdstyles1979
      @kdstyles1979 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      AMEN

    • @ampster03
      @ampster03 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      One will never understand unless u are a man🔥🔥🔥 shheeeeshhhh my brother!!!

    • @jaleelrobertson8186
      @jaleelrobertson8186 ปีที่แล้ว +24

      Boi im at work bout to tear up😂 but we gotta keep going💯💯

    • @vincentfigueroa4279
      @vincentfigueroa4279 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Yeah this jawn hit different and almost choked me up 🙌

    • @KStatus7
      @KStatus7 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      I swear I felt the EXACT SAME WAY

  • @MrShadowPlaysGames
    @MrShadowPlaysGames ปีที่แล้ว +592

    Most men will only experience unconditional love from there mothers and some of us dont even get that
    Most of us have never even felt appreciation or respect without conditions or hidden intentions
    We dont know what it sounds like to hear
    I see you
    Im proud of you
    Im glad you’re here
    You really make a difference
    Damn.

    • @nihilusJ90
      @nihilusJ90 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Search "Chris Rock - Unconditional Love"

    • @coni7392
      @coni7392 ปีที่แล้ว

      😔

    • @Hellzfury112
      @Hellzfury112 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yeaaaa, that one f'd me up pretty good.

    • @carlossantana9517
      @carlossantana9517 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      1 matha fucken thousand percent

    • @jfor7074
      @jfor7074 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      That made the tears come😞

  • @johnnycrash2383
    @johnnycrash2383 ปีที่แล้ว +857

    "Remembering what it was like to be a boy running toward a goal." Out of everything he said, that is what hit me the hardest.

    • @rienrien9081
      @rienrien9081 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      True buddy sometimes life hit us so hard that we forget our quarterback duty put the ball in the goal, once we get hit nobody really lend us a hand to help 8s get on our feets, everyone laughs... as if means misery is sweet melody 😔

    • @CarmineDavanzo
      @CarmineDavanzo ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Back to the huddle, boys, it’s 3rd and long. We got this.

    • @Amotokai
      @Amotokai ปีที่แล้ว +3

      The one that stuck with me was "While over 30% of us have attempted to stop breathing. Nobody even mentions the men who have succeeded."

    • @SrBaneSinse
      @SrBaneSinse ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I loved the duality in that.

    • @trs8696
      @trs8696 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Absolutely. That line killed me.

  • @tkellz8141
    @tkellz8141 ปีที่แล้ว +494

    This young man just summed up years of life far beyond his age.

    • @3volved
      @3volved ปีที่แล้ว +18

      "A man with an old soul is just a boy that contemplated going ghost"

    • @jamesmatheny304
      @jamesmatheny304 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@3volved contemplate going ghost often.. I felt that.. amongst many other words of his.

    • @lewcy
      @lewcy ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@jamesmatheny304 keep it at contemplation friend. Idk what you’re going through, but you can get through it.

    • @ILoveYou-sg5bi
      @ILoveYou-sg5bi ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@lewcy I hate when ppl say things like that, it's almost like you're diminishing his issues. That's what he's talking about, when we go through shlt, the world tells us, meh, just keep going, you'll get through it. Thats what the 8th girl youve approached says afte she turns you down. Many of us do move forward, but it leaves scars that make us who we are, then the world complains about that.
      You don't know if someone will get through it, men commit suicide everyday, and before that the world tells us, meh, you'll get through it, keep trying buddy.

    • @kellypittman7004
      @kellypittman7004 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ILoveYou-sg5bi Amen.

  • @gangstagotgame8099
    @gangstagotgame8099 ปีที่แล้ว +832

    Shaking, crying on my bathroom floor at 5 AM to this. Thank you for saying everything I didn’t have the courage to say.

    • @kaolkerr7839
      @kaolkerr7839 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Same here... at 2:30am. Having a grown ass man bawling his eyes out. Much love, brotha. Gotta keep pushing forward 💪

    • @kingaion_
      @kingaion_ ปีที่แล้ว +10

      5 am in Germany and i can‘t believe how hard this hit, stay strong 💪🏽

    • @andrewalbrandt7585
      @andrewalbrandt7585 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I've never shaked like this on my life

    • @justinscott5072
      @justinscott5072 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      It will all be ok brothers. Just keep fighting and I hope y’all find y’all’s like for yourselves and love from a good woman

    • @Wanker527
      @Wanker527 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Prayers, my brothers. You are not alone.

  • @unveiledcoach4115
    @unveiledcoach4115 ปีที่แล้ว +978

    Came here from TikTok. NEEDED TO HEAR THIS WHOLE.

  • @xDESERTRUSHx
    @xDESERTRUSHx ปีที่แล้ว +342

    As a 26 year old man, I’m almost sobbing right now in the middle of the gym. This needs to be seen by everyone. It’s so eye opening, it hurts.

    • @paulthompson6634
      @paulthompson6634 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

      Hope you win at whatever your fighting brother

    • @Hope4Life26
      @Hope4Life26 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      I’m genuinely sorry for what society has done to men. I know I can’t fully relate to you, but even as a female I was stripped of my femininity and felt like I could never come undone. I bottled up nearly everything but still-society would still give more room for us as women to be emotional and not y’all. This poem broke and is still breaking my heart in so many pieces. I’m personally grateful for this poem…I really am. I hope that all the hurt you’ve personally experienced gets fueled into something great. You are already great by the way…I really mean every word I’m saying. You are worth it! You do and always mattered! And once again, I’m sorry even though I know sorry isn’t enough. I hope you heal beautifully and maybe if you’re interested…maybe even write a poem of your own one day cause I’d love to hear it! I truly hope you take good care of yourself! You’re worth it! ❤

    • @0xsunil
      @0xsunil 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@Hope4Life26 Thanks for kind words sister. Everyone who has taken responsibilities on his/her shoulders has had to hide his pain to keep his/her people survive. Be it a founder, a leader, a father, or a mother. Males are by default expected to be in leadership positions. So, they can't choose but fight the battle but females do go through their fair share of pain that probably I can't fathom eather. But together, we both can survive if we just start to listen with an intention to understand the other person. Hope you are doing good. Love from India.

  • @DamaniJones
    @DamaniJones ปีที่แล้ว +261

    EVERY man knows these things and has them internalized, but hearing them vocalized just hits the soul. An ounce of understanding in a world that has always considered us cannon fodder. Thank you, and thank you to all the men who are still here making the most of their journey. 🙏🏿

    • @Wanker527
      @Wanker527 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      As someone who had relatives in the revolutionary, civil, both world wars, Vietnam, and Iraq and Afghanistan wars, “cannon fodder” hit me. God bless all my brothers. 🙏🏻

  • @brianb7686
    @brianb7686 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +19

    We men need to look out for each other because no one else will.

  • @meechdank3557
    @meechdank3557 ปีที่แล้ว +66

    29 years of my life summed up in 7 minutes. Shits crazy.

    • @brandonmasters7819
      @brandonmasters7819 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I'm 41. It doesn't change.

    • @levibryant2875
      @levibryant2875 7 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      ​@@brandonmasters7819my father is 57 and said "still hasn't changed"

  • @M2MHR
    @M2MHR ปีที่แล้ว +206

    This deserves a grammy

  • @sevatar5762
    @sevatar5762 ปีที่แล้ว +156

    This feels like the explanation to why you sometimes pass another guy on the street and you just give eachother that nod.

    • @kevmoful
      @kevmoful ปีที่แล้ว +26

      May we all win the battles that nobody knows about .

    • @Taiilz43
      @Taiilz43 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      For real man

    • @THEORIGINALKINGCHARMING79
      @THEORIGINALKINGCHARMING79 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Brother at arms

  • @tyggna
    @tyggna 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    A man with an old soul is just a boy that contemplated going ghost. . .
    I think this is the first time I've ever felt seen.

  • @tentoesdown6247
    @tentoesdown6247 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    “First step in being a man is ignoring the hunger” damn that hit hard.

  • @brettbarnes3918
    @brettbarnes3918 ปีที่แล้ว +177

    You put into words what I didn’t realize I felt. All of this hit so close to home everyone on this planet needs to hear this 👍

  • @MisterQuasar
    @MisterQuasar ปีที่แล้ว +105

    The people that want you to open up are the people that will tell you to stop being so sensitive. The people that you ask honesty of are the people who honestly don’t give a fuck about you. The people who decide to let themselves in are the people that take the most and the people who you let in are the people who won’t give you anything. Do things for yourself for others. Thank you for saying this so beautifully

  • @fokinmohena
    @fokinmohena ปีที่แล้ว +577

    Teach a Boy to Cry - T Sleeveless
    People think the deconstruction of a man is some loud violent occurrence
    This outpour of bitterness towards the world
    And in reality
    The deconstruction of a man is a silent film
    A common surgical procedure that the world didn’t know it was trained to do
    The breaking of a boy
    Is the world’s quietest natural disaster
    As a man there is no such thing as being stuck between a rock and a hard place
    You either use the stones at rock bottom to build a way out
    Or you get buried by them
    Ain’t nobody coming to save you
    The entire world is trying to construct you
    Into its perfect little image
    And the people around you are the ones who fuel the process of your manufactured masculinity
    Some of us are gonna make it through assembly
    But we need to watch out for defective counterparts
    Because the whole world is going to use their flaws to define all of us
    Luckily
    Most defective product is aware of its own shortcomings
    And tends to destroy itself given enough time alone with its imperfections
    This abridged explanation of the process is how you become a man
    Or a monster
    Everybody knows what a monster does
    Everybody judges the monster
    Nobody questions its creator
    Some of us are manufactured to make light of our peril
    With jokes if you will
    Male comedians are magicians in this way
    How they take their pain and airbrush it into something laughable
    He he
    Ha ha
    Joke about a failed suicide
    The crowd laughs
    The curtains close
    The comedian drinks all the way home
    A mans tears are just funny that way
    How they have to be translated to be accepted
    How they have to be transcribed into an art form
    To be worthy of observation
    How you have to bleed artistically
    To become a worthy topic of conversation
    Funny
    How we can joke about a mans misery
    But nobody taught the boy to cry
    But they taught him how to fight
    Nobody tucked them in at night
    So he doesn’t sleep at night
    Nobody offers protection to the protectors
    Nobody provides the providers with provisions
    Nobody looks after the overseer
    Nobody has ever tried to guide the man who steers
    Everybody judges the weak men
    Nobody checks on the strong ones
    Only other men know how subtle a difference before the transition
    Nobody taught the boy to cry
    So he would do it at all the wrong times
    In the barber chair
    Getting casket sharp
    Remembering the funeral of a failed relationship
    In the grocery aisle
    Breaking down because he’s weighed down by the tears collecting in his baggage
    At a soccer game
    Remembering what it was like to be a boy running towards a goal
    Most men
    Will only experience unconditional love from their mothers
    And some of us don’t even get that
    Most of us have never even felt appreciation
    Or respect
    Without conditions or hidden intentions
    We don’t know what it sounds like to hear
    “I see you, and I’m proud of you.”
    “I’m glad you’re here.”
    “You really make a difference.”
    Yet the expectation is to constantly be displaying the strength and love
    That the world is hesitant in conveying
    We’re expected to have a thick skin
    But get judged if it turns into a hard shell
    The first step in being a man is ignoring the hunger
    Cuz yes boy you gon be starving
    Starved of attention
    Starved of affirmation
    Starved of love
    Starved of being told that you are enough
    Step 2 in being a man is comfortability with replaceability
    You are only as good as you are useful
    You are only as valuable as you are needed by others
    Should there ever come a day, boy
    Where you fail to provide everybody with a smiling face
    Then do not be surprised when they say
    "All men do is take up space”
    And you are swiftly replaced
    Step 3 in being a man is overcoming your fear of the fire
    Cause almost everything you ever try to build
    Will go up in flames
    Relationships, careers, hobbies
    And yes
    You are always to blame
    Step 4 in being a man is understanding that by the time you finally get all the right answers
    These questions will have already changed
    You might achieve the strength of Herculean fiction
    Trying to balance the weight
    Of all these contradictions
    Be a man they say
    Definition unknown
    Description keep changing
    We men
    So empty
    So irritable
    So this
    So that
    We get told what we are so much
    We’ve accepted that who we are ain’t even up to us
    The blame is always on us regardless
    One guilty man’s actions requires an innocents mans explanation
    Otherwise you’re all guilty by gender association
    There are four times as many male suicidal ideation
    Because its been hammered in our head that we’re falling short of our societal expectations
    Imagine being in a world of hurt for a hundred different reasons
    During a nationwide emasculation season
    There is a unique brand of sadness that follows being hated without reason
    It ain’t no secret
    While over 30% of us have attempted to stop breathing
    Nobody even mentions the men who have succeeded
    As the saying goes, “every failure is one step closer to a successful attempt.”
    There is no such thing as an attempted suicide
    A mans soul dies long before his body has a chance to realize
    A man with an old soul
    Is just a boy who contemplated going ghost
    For every woman that suffers the same fate
    Four men will follow her to the grave
    And I try to hide the stats from the poet
    Because he might romanticize them
    He might mistake this tragedy for a love story
    He might write a poem in place for the suicide notes that were never left behind
    Because nobody taught him otherwise
    So who’s gonna teach these boys to cry
    While they’re still alive
    A man with nothing to lose
    Will view everything as something to take
    A child that isn’t embraced by the village
    Will burn the village down
    And he will stare
    As everything that didn’t love him back
    Contorts
    And cracks
    He will ease his way into the fire
    Until he finally
    Feels
    Some warmth

    • @Ali-thechillerdude
      @Ali-thechillerdude ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Thx for posting this 💯 💯 💯

    • @wildhaert
      @wildhaert ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Thanks for this my G!

    • @PrinceRichardKE
      @PrinceRichardKE ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Thank you for this.

    • @ryan1e
      @ryan1e ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Thank you

    • @redrum623az
      @redrum623az ปีที่แล้ว +10

      @paulfeist - "most men, the first time in their lives they ever get flowers is laid on they're laid on their grave"

  • @j-meister8710
    @j-meister8710 ปีที่แล้ว +91

    As a man, this made me cry. You put it better in so many words.

  • @JMan-The_AntiCitizen-
    @JMan-The_AntiCitizen- ปีที่แล้ว +189

    Man. That last line hit like a sledgehammer, that's some amazing truth

    • @JMan-The_AntiCitizen-
      @JMan-The_AntiCitizen- ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Because of my career, I've witnessed the aftermath of many men ending their lives, I've had to read a lot of notes left as the last words these men left in this world, and I can tell you every second of this poem is correct.

    • @nihilusJ90
      @nihilusJ90 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      "The Child Who is Not Embraced by the Village Will Burn it Down to Feel its Warmth"
      - this is an old African proverb.

  • @thegodbulitlikebudda7090
    @thegodbulitlikebudda7090 ปีที่แล้ว +72

    I always tell my sons it's okay to cry. I'm proud of them. As their dad I love them unconditionally. I've learned to cry in my late 30s. I still feel like I have a lot of anger issues, but I am working on it one day at a time

    • @spencersmith7142
      @spencersmith7142 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I’m proud of you, man. I hope when I have kids someday, I can talk the same way about how much I love them.

    • @Qazwerty777
      @Qazwerty777 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Hey man. I love you brother. You mentioning your anger issue line. Tough one that hits home. I dislike my dad, we don’t really get along well. It’s mostly interrogative conversations and assumptions. No real convo. I hate it. It’s difficult to eat as a family snd it’s hard to hold a conversation. To joke around. With my own father. But. All that aside I know he loves me. I know he works his ass off for me. He’s in pain and I know it. Maybe I’m just too insensitive or don’t care enough. Maybe I’m too young to see it as clear as I should. Idk, whatever it is, something is keeping us apart I feel like. I just wanted to say this in case maybe you come across some turmoil with your sons. They most likely know you love them. They love you even though they act cold. A lot of us just don’t know how to put thoughts into words. One thing I wish my dad would’ve done to better our relationship. Is to take the risk and chance to look stupid in front of me. To cry. Or to show emotion. To stutter over his words. I’m not comfortable sharing my thoughts with my family, but I have no real issues with them. I don’t have many friends close enough to trust with my trauma. I work full time to help support my family and social life is almost non existent. I have no idea why I wrote all this to you. Maybe some fucked up sense of remorse/regret and things I want to say to my own dad. Idfk but here it is.
      TLDR; love your kids and don’t be afraid to make mistakes in front of them. They will only grow to trust you more.

    • @joaorosa5656
      @joaorosa5656 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Qazwerty777 I feel the same, but with my mother instead. I tried for a long time to change my mom's life, she has a very combative personality and a very negative/depressive view about life, but I learned I can't really change her perception of reality. The only thing I can do is support her, show I love and care for her. Hope things get better for you, my unknown friend, life can be pretty bleak sometimes, but know, all around the world there are people that feel like you, and would love to be your friend. You are strong, you are valuable, you are worthy. Keep rolling my dude

    • @JamesDeanStudiesLanguage
      @JamesDeanStudiesLanguage ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It is ok for a man to cry, but only around family and close male friends. Never around women. Not even your wife. They will lose respect for you. It is what it is.

  • @gtkaparos
    @gtkaparos 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

    I have this bookmarked for the simple reason that it rings so true. This makes me feel that my tears are not in vain. I also feel less alone. I play it once every few days so I can remember these words and NOT walk into the flame.

    • @handyman303
      @handyman303 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Share this with the people you want to understand you but you can't get your point across too, it helped me find the love of my life

  • @jdeshetler01
    @jdeshetler01 ปีที่แล้ว +115

    I remember seeing the Godfather for the first time, long ago. Vito tells Michael, "I've spent my whole life trying not to be careless. Women and children can be careless, but not men". It was a simple statement, yet profound, with more behind it left unsaid.
    Except this guy actually said it, and more. Incredibly powerful.

    • @cjohnson73
      @cjohnson73 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Bro thank you lol you just triggered a great memory from my childhood. I remember asking my dad what Vito meant by that when I was like 16 watching the godfather for the first time. All he told me was if he were careless there wouldn’t be a roof over my head or food on the table. At the time I just kinda accepted it and moved on. But now being 36 with my own family I completely understand

  • @nicoleellis7676
    @nicoleellis7676 ปีที่แล้ว +51

    As a wife, a sister and a mother of a son that DOES give a shit, THIS is one of the best things I can take in and share. THANK YOU for baring your soul. Thank you for helping me appreciate the perspective of a
    Man! I shared this with every man that made a difference in my life! I love you !

    • @must205
      @must205 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      You are a unique woman.

    • @somebitchfromluckystar
      @somebitchfromluckystar 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      The only woman who will unconditionally love a man is their mother.

  • @TheBoBabsin
    @TheBoBabsin ปีที่แล้ว +90

    "Most men will only experience unconditional love from their mothers... Most of us have never even felt appreciation or respect without hidden intentions."
    For all his flaws and mistakes, for all the trauma he did put me through, my father was always there to tell me that he loved me and that he was proud of me. No matter what mistakes I made or the shit I put him through, he was there for me; eventually I came to understand that he loved me, unconditionally. It's bittersweet to realize how lucky I am for that. He didn't meet my mother until I was three years old, but he's the only real father I ever had or needed. Here's to my old man 🍻

    • @Tlaloke
      @Tlaloke ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I've never heard my dad say he's proud of me

    • @kaolkerr7839
      @kaolkerr7839 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Consider yourself lucky and blessed 🙌

    • @robertgrimm1723
      @robertgrimm1723 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm so trying to show and tell my little man that he will always be loved by me no matter what. I will stand up for him, will hold him when he's down, I will put his life ahead of my own always. I hope to teach him well and for him to become a greater man than I.

    • @MrIkOgNiTo
      @MrIkOgNiTo หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@Tlaloke I did but unfortunately it didn't change how the world treated me

  • @ParvezHussain421
    @ParvezHussain421 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    Man, This gave me chills..!!🔥🔥
    IT'S NOT A POETRY.. ITS A LIFE OF A MAN..💔🕯

  • @jstrollins
    @jstrollins ปีที่แล้ว +67

    “There is no such thing as an attempted suicide. A mans soul dies long before his body has a chance to realize” 😢😢 i feel that brother shit cuts deep. I feel a lot of us men are moving based only by our survival instincts and inside we are a hollow shell murdered by the onslaught of life’s tribulations

  • @DavidSamuel-gz7cf
    @DavidSamuel-gz7cf 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    "Everybody judges the weak men, nobody checks on the strong ones"
    "One guilty man's action requires an innocent man's explanation otherwise you're all guilty by gender association"
    But this poem's concluding line sent chills down my spine:
    "He will ease his way into the fire until he finally feels some warmth"

  • @TheHectormartinez82
    @TheHectormartinez82 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    "A guilty man's actions require an innocent man's explanation". Damn I felt that

  • @kaolkerr7839
    @kaolkerr7839 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Damn... the line "...everybody judges the weak man, nobody checks on the strong ones..." got right in the feels. Amazing, brotha.

  • @BlackDivelRec
    @BlackDivelRec ปีที่แล้ว +57

    Man it just leave me speechless,
    i cant even imagine the courage you need to preform this piece in our society right now,
    especially when nobody cares and us men can only listen.
    my respect goes to you.

  • @inkredebilchina9699
    @inkredebilchina9699 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    all of my life I've been asking everyone "why". why are we not allowed to cry, feel, be shy or subtle. and 40 years in comes T. Sleeveless and explains it all in 5 minutes.
    a massive THANK YOU. ❤️

  • @TokinJudokan
    @TokinJudokan ปีที่แล้ว +13

    "A man with an old soul is just a boy who contemplated going ghost"
    Didn't realize how much that resonated until someone put it into words.. way to speak up for all who feel like their voices go unheard. Much love to all 🤙

  • @BladeWarFare
    @BladeWarFare 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    I'm only 19 and this.. this is the most relatable poem I've ever heard..

  • @alonzosoto4363
    @alonzosoto4363 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    So fucking powerful. How you have to bleed artistically to become a worthy topic of conversation I fucking felt that

  • @marco.d.c.
    @marco.d.c. ปีที่แล้ว +28

    This hit me like a bag of bricks. Honestly, if I still knew how to cry, then this poem would have made me shed some tears.

    • @jeremygrimes9006
      @jeremygrimes9006 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      "If I still knew how to cry..." HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....*sigh* yeah. Me too.

    • @andrewalbrandt7585
      @andrewalbrandt7585 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I forgot how to cry a long time ago

  • @Tuhqa
    @Tuhqa ปีที่แล้ว +39

    Scary accurate. Huge props to this dude

  • @steventollefson5418
    @steventollefson5418 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I am 37 and have sole custody of 3 young kids. So much of this hits my heart and brain so damn hard. Spitting facts with true feelings many men share. As someone who was never told I'm proud of what you have done, I would like to break that cycle and tell this man that I am proud of him using his talent and sharing this.

  • @byronthibeaux17
    @byronthibeaux17 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    I needed to see this, SO BADLY. Recovering from the drama and depression of a separation, after 20 years of being in a relationship. Now, I'm using every fiber of my being to make sure my son is happy, healthy, and loved. Keep up the good work, brother. You're helping more people than you could possibly imagine.

  • @pathwinder14
    @pathwinder14 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Painfully accurate and we will still be ignored. We are broken men with broken hearts using broken minds, carrying broken souls.

  • @mzjuiic3y09
    @mzjuiic3y09 ปีที่แล้ว +85

    That poem was so profound… I felt every word and you’re absolutely correct… I’m a mother of a 2 year old boy… and that is something I’m teaching him now is crying is a human emotion…and that it’s ok to cry and that I am and will always be a safe space and place to come to… Bc mental health is very important and I see black men especially struggle with mental health

    • @joaomaria2398
      @joaomaria2398 ปีที่แล้ว

      lol
      It is not about crying. You are a woman, and will never understand even half he said.
      Hopefully your boy has a father in his life, otherwise you have disgraced him.

  • @dylandavis5178
    @dylandavis5178 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    In a moment of mental weakness and anger when I found this. Struggling with these same feelings that he put to words. I hope this Young man finds a clear path forward and a bright future. He helped me so much today. I have shared this 3 times and have watched it 5 times to this point.

    • @ThugJutsu
      @ThugJutsu ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Me too bro stay strong all of you you’re not alone

  • @WolfPartyProductions
    @WolfPartyProductions ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Profoundly cathartic to hear. Good to know someone else thinks about this.

  • @dannyswettenham1251
    @dannyswettenham1251 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    This is our lives as men I’ve always said this to women never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes

  • @Freedom_4800
    @Freedom_4800 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Stay strong men. And reach out to each other.
    Edit: Still hits hard 10 months later...10 months and the feelings haven't changed. The ideation is still there.

  • @zanderwohl
    @zanderwohl ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I'm pausing this video to come back to later. Can't be crying, I've got a meeting in 15 mins.

  • @Harrysonwhite
    @Harrysonwhite ปีที่แล้ว +19

    This deserves so many more views than the 619 I’m seeing right now. Absolute truth and it hurts to know it’s relatable to myself and so many others. We all deserve to feel loved. We are loved. Fuck

  • @rxvertxd3004
    @rxvertxd3004 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I literally cried listening to this man it’s been so long since I was able to shed a tear I’ve become so desensitized to everything

  • @MCPerez
    @MCPerez 18 วันที่ผ่านมา

    "You will always be to be blamed" and I felt that

  • @berlinetta88able
    @berlinetta88able ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Everything was said perfectly.
    This saved me today. I’ll be back to listen tomorrow.

  • @Sofly45752
    @Sofly45752 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    As a mother, this poem made me take a long hard look at myself! It made me immediately go hug my 9 year old, and tell him just how important, valuable, and loved he is!! I pray that should he ever feel otherwise, that he knows he can come to me.

  • @123jaharris
    @123jaharris 11 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Praying for yall men out there, im a 30 yr old man still learning!

  • @Iaapwm
    @Iaapwm ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Am 62yo, black, born on an Island , then move to Auzz at 12yo. Thank you TSleeveless, Do not really know how to thank you for how you have moved me but more importantly,,, finally some clarity. You have giving me a new perspective and a greater freedom within my mind. Thank you for your efforts and kindness.

  • @danieldeville7813
    @danieldeville7813 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    I couldnt help but say that every word of this was even somewhat oh a little dagger in me. Its one thing to say and think these exact same things but is a completely different feeling when someone else says the exact same thoughts and realization i felt in the midst of having my strongest front on yet. It makes you tear up and feel a little more.

  • @jakethomas8738
    @jakethomas8738 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This man said everything I’ve had built up and wanted to say for the last 25 years. I will never forget this man’s words. Every man and woman should see this.

  • @carlitosac1054
    @carlitosac1054 20 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I’m happy to know that I’m not alone.even no one around me has felt it,someone out there has❤

  • @JohnologicalUrbanist
    @JohnologicalUrbanist หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    This is the most powerful poem I’ve ever heard

    • @VoicesInPower
      @VoicesInPower  หลายเดือนก่อน

      It is an incredible poem.

  • @traphouseboot5443
    @traphouseboot5443 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Found this on Facebook . Had to come see the full video. Man I’m just lost for words. I just expressed this to my queen. It’s the harsh truth .

  • @richardwilson19
    @richardwilson19 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    The way you turned the feelings of men into words. Man you have a gift. I felt every word deep in my soul. I wish we as men could all convey them the same way you did here. Maybe those we love would understand and we wouldn't have to feel this way anymore.

  • @mzhardy10
    @mzhardy10 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    The world needs to hear this. Please let the world hear this. Can we please get the world to hear this!

  • @paul_aguy
    @paul_aguy 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    That line. We' get told who we are so much we've accepted who we are ain't even uo to us...

  • @jonathanspurgin3235
    @jonathanspurgin3235 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    THANK YOU! 😢😢😢I’ve been there, I am there, but now’s our time. Now’s our time to show everyone that we can cry too. Now’s our time to define OUR own masculinity. 🙏🏻 💯

  • @santorez2
    @santorez2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    The Message. The Delivery. The Reality. The Rollercoaster of Emotions...This is a MASTERPIECE on so many levels!
    It hit so deep I couldn't come out of it.

  • @dpark3175
    @dpark3175 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I’m late but this need to be shared all over

  • @johntravolvo9830
    @johntravolvo9830 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Man that resonates. Beautifully spoken, true artful poetry.

  • @LuisRamirez-nb6sh
    @LuisRamirez-nb6sh ปีที่แล้ว +7

    “Luckily most defective product is aware of its own short comings and tends to destroy itself given enough time alone with its imperfections” right here I started to tear up

  • @kahboui1452
    @kahboui1452 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Your words are so powerful. They burn they hurt. Sadly my lesson in my 50 years on this earth - they will take your kindness for weakness and if you show them your weak spots they WILL use them against you one sad day. Protect yourself at ALL TIMES!!! Don’t ever let them see you cry. Keep your head up chest out. The only people who will have my unconditional love are my children. And even from them I must learn to not expect any gratitude. Good night brothers ❤

  • @stephenroberts8642
    @stephenroberts8642 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Holy….sh*t. That hit deep in my soul. I am speechless. My man told those ppl how we feel but put into words so delicately and beautifully. This is the reason why so many men contemplate suicide daily and finally hit they’re breaking point and fall through with it. I’ve come a long way. I still have suicide in the back of my head. Not as much as I use to but damn because of how we are treated it stays there. I wish that thought would finally leave me alone. I’m sick of it always lingering. I’ll never succumb to it but I really do wish it would leave my head one day

  • @user-bm8ci4lq4h
    @user-bm8ci4lq4h ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thank you for this. As I sit in my car leaving work listening to this, I realized I never take the time to process my life. Everything he said was accurate and hit me all at once. 30yrs old and just now realizing no one checks for me unconditionally.

  • @jasonwendelljr4405
    @jasonwendelljr4405 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    I love how woman are clapping in this, I ain’t saying they can’t agree, but how can they agree when they can’t begin to understand

    • @daveam9000
      @daveam9000 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Women cheer and agree not because they understand, but because it makes them look good among their peers and feel good

    • @Loop42
      @Loop42 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Ever heard of empathy?

    • @MrIkOgNiTo
      @MrIkOgNiTo หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@Loop42 heard of it but never experienced

  • @DJAUDIO1
    @DJAUDIO1 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    This man just summarized my 43 years of life in one poem. Truly amazing.

  • @jamesconnorsiijci
    @jamesconnorsiijci ปีที่แล้ว +8

    This basically describes every man around the good ones have to explain for the guilty ones since we are guilty by association just bcuz we are a man. The line about the man with an old soul is a boy that went ghost is so true. I ghosted everyone for my peace and they say I have an old soul because I like being alone. But mostly bcuz everyone in the world judges like they are perfect.

  • @Tarnished-c9n
    @Tarnished-c9n 3 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I first discovered this poem a couple of months ago and it was at a point in my live where I didn`t know how to express the way I felt. I felt mistreated, judged, bullied and also felt it was all my fault at the same time. I wanted to adress everything but lacked the words to express myself. Then I found this video and it resonated with me in a way I wouldn`t have believed if people told me beforehand. TSleeveless spoke the words that I was looking for, without knowing them myself. Thank you so much - while I can´t say that it changed my life - because things are still rough - it most certainly changed my perspective and it allowed me to adress some of the things that were plaging me. Just thank you!

  • @SonOfAMitch0481
    @SonOfAMitch0481 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I struggle like many men to cry. Crying was never tolerated, from childhood on out. But every word of this resonated with me in ways I can’t explain. Thank you. Thank you for putting to words the feelings I never knew could be quantified as such.

  • @NicholsMarn
    @NicholsMarn 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Life as a man... "I was 29 years old. Had just lost my job during the Sub Prime crisis. Shortly after that my father, at 59, died in a auto accident. I was expected to be the port in the storm for the entire family. And I was. I had the audacity to break down in front of my now ex-wife. Her response "I need you to be an effing man!". That's the compassion we receive.

    • @olderl3329
      @olderl3329 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Damn brother I hope you heal quickly and get better

  • @dorianlabuschagne1407
    @dorianlabuschagne1407 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Got this on repeat. The driving force of not falling over that edge. Beautiful words and even stronger message. Much love to you for that

  • @Ancestralsword8
    @Ancestralsword8 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Damn this shit really hit my soul, been a while since I've felt that level of validation

  • @ChristopherMoye
    @ChristopherMoye 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I see you, I am proud of you, and I am glad you are here.

  • @austenpiers9281
    @austenpiers9281 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    For the boys!
    Felt all this. ❤️‍🔥

  • @brandonmasters7819
    @brandonmasters7819 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I come back and watch this video quite often. A very powerful message for us all.

  • @carljohnson6264
    @carljohnson6264 29 วันที่ผ่านมา

    This is something else.
    I would love to hear more from this young man.

  • @Ryuk84
    @Ryuk84 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Beautiful, truthful. This hits hard.

  • @willardtheband
    @willardtheband ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Yes, this poem goes on past the point of comfort, but in reality it never pauses and never stops.

  • @user-tj2bz4bd7g
    @user-tj2bz4bd7g ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I had a daughter once about a decade ago and when she passed so did I
    Had no fight left in me
    I’m past most of the pain now but this here brought up the last decade in 7 minutes..
    Well done for creating what so many people feel one way or another

  • @thearchangel9835
    @thearchangel9835 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    What a phenomenal poet! He made me feel like I was listening to an angel who knows and understands me better than I understand myself! I am in 'aw' and I would fall short to compliment this poet in every attempt!

  • @joepalooka4720
    @joepalooka4720 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Thank you for being able to verbally express what I and many more men feel inside , sincerely thank you

  • @christianwhite764
    @christianwhite764 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Man is out here expressing through poetry the feelings that many men can't put into words for themselves. You can feel how deep this came from and that makes this a beautiful piece.

  • @demoneyesjosh
    @demoneyesjosh 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Every female needs to hear this this is beautiful and true

  • @FoxythePirate666
    @FoxythePirate666 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I felt this with my very soul, and it put me in tears. This needs to be heard by the world

  • @ednaakoth3906
    @ednaakoth3906 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Wow! Am sending this to all my brothers. Thank you

  • @ineedhelpplease
    @ineedhelpplease ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Bro I'm literally in tears. Iv never heard words come from someone else mouth come from my mind ❤ Big love for all the kings 🤴

  • @broderickproject8721
    @broderickproject8721 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    So talented and so true. The whole world needs to hear this

  • @elijahburkhart9125
    @elijahburkhart9125 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I hope you push to publish this young man, we’ll said. Thank you.

  • @Allday0nem
    @Allday0nem ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Hey bro, thank you for this. God bless you and your mighty words. This brought me to tears... Tears of relief and comfort that someone understands our pain. 💯🔥

  • @UDCMComedy
    @UDCMComedy ปีที่แล้ว +14

    I just turned 40 and I’m walking this tight rope every day.

  • @danelc8434
    @danelc8434 หลายเดือนก่อน

    "By the time you finally get all the right answers, these questions will have already changed" hit me like a ton of bricks.

  • @king_outsider3187
    @king_outsider3187 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thank you so much. Nobody will ever understand or care what we go through as men. That needs to change 💯💯💯

  • @Bad_Chad
    @Bad_Chad ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I thought this was ending several times, but it only kept getting better, and more deep. So relatable in every way. Thanks for putting many of our stresses into words, brother.

  • @shewrites.
    @shewrites. 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I'm a female and I felt this.

  • @lainatucker9643
    @lainatucker9643 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Beautiful poem. Very real and very home hitting. My husband deals this way. I relate to those feelings as well as we do not seem to feel society's requirements. But he is paired being with society enforce much as he is not seen neither am I. I work endlessly to help him forgive his own self-jugdement. I praise him constantly. Are you sacrifice my own emotional, mental and physical needs. He thinks I don't see suffering in his turmoil, but every breath that I can ever thought that I have every work that I say every action that I take is centered around easing his suffering. And I do love him unconditionally. I do not see him as flawed or a monster, I see that it is fear in the anguish that leads to the frustration and anger. His expression of hopelessness. I see him very clearly. But his feelings of doubt, failing, of loss, call the loss of faith not only in himself hurting me as well. The wall he is built around himself to protect himself he has put me outside of. And all the people who chose to be blind to his suffering, for their own personal gain have blinded him, to the one person, who has sacrificed all that she ever was, and she could ever be. I will, I would, I do and I have sacrifice all...my hope, my love, and my faith, so that he may now that I see him! That he is valued and loved I'm not for what he does for me. However I loved unless I can do it he needs to not year at 8 to ask questions the right way to always be listening in the wind to answer when to shut up. As he blames me or why he feels the way he feels. That I caused this. And when I try to be there and make sure he is hurt he stonewalls me. He says I don't listen but you will not tell me anything as I. He decides for me what I want to feel what I want to hear if I want to care or not. And she chooses in his mind to make me a monster to the shutout. If it meant losing him, for him to love himself to see himself to accept himself, and I would give up that too. I love him for who he is not what he gives me. For the things I need from him he does not give me and I still love him unconditionally. My only suffering, is his unrest, his suffering. I know I'm not a man hits why you wrote the poem for men and many different things than women. So someone tell me how to make my husband feel loved. the house the constant praise, patience, the Non-Stop ready at the drop of a hat to attend to his needs, the apologies for asking wrong question, all of it just means that I don't love him I don't care about him and I don't see him. Once upon a Time my love and comfort and services that I provided him were enough to make him feel seen and accepted, and loved. And his love has always been conditional, I wanted to beat the person he wanted me to be. Just to be in his what's my joy, and to be loved by him with my privilege. Not to be mistaken with my expectation. The the acceptance of the world has high requirements, though different. Just as high for women as for man. The difference is I don't need to be seen, understood, or accepted by the the world. I have gone most of my life knowing the world has no compassion for me. Knowing that you world sees me as a list things I can and cannot do. In knowing this I still found happiness love and Hope. I accepted this is fact. I don't need the world. Even the people closest to me do not see me. And I can let that destroy me, tear me apart and turn me into somebody I am not. But if any one person sees me, even just a little... that is more than enough. I decide who I am and if it's good enough. And if you don't like it I don't need you. I will not let it push me into hate and fear no matter how hard it tries and it does. The only one that needs to know accept and love you as you. Anything beyond that it's a blessing.

    • @MrIkOgNiTo
      @MrIkOgNiTo หลายเดือนก่อน

      Women live life on easy mode and you have no idea what you are talking about.

  • @stephendobson7310
    @stephendobson7310 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Thank you for this , it gives me the ability to tell people how I feel just buy sending this for them to listen too because I feel like I will get judges telling them in person.