Is it a tear I hear in his voice?
After years of policy attention to girls,
a reaction to expanded women’s rights,
not meant to be negative backlash;
the result, though, has been
a neglected boy child.
Is it a tear I hear in the voice?
of the boy child who has been left behind
in the gender equality agenda.
Society has assumed that the boy-child
is able to figure out their life,
that because he is male,
he knows the way,
he does not need direction.
he does not need support.
Is it a tear I hear in the voice?
of the boy child
who is not supposed to cry or lament;
stipulations upon the boy child
that have bred angry, weak,
unstable, rough
and disrespectful men.
Yes I know
it is your tear I hear
in your voice dear boy child,
but I want you to know that it’s okay.
It’s okay because society
will eventually change their mindset
after discovering that
empowered women
need empowered men
who can reason together with them;
empowered men who can provide
both moral and financial support.
I know it is your tear I hear
in your voice dear boy child,
but I want you to know
that it’ll not be long.
It’ll not be long before
humanity focuses on empowering both
the boy child and girl child equally
so as to create a harmonious society.
A society where people can live,
reason, support, and care for each other;
a society where everyone
dreams to belong.
I know it is your tear I hear
in your voice dear boy child,
but I want you not to worry.
Not to worry because
it is now crystal-clear to all
that empowering men will
enable build a society
that’s made up of gentlemen.
Men who respect
their women and children.
Men who will be ready to
make sacrifice for themselves,
family and society.
I know it is your tear I hear
in your voice dear boy child,
but I want you to start smiling.
Start smiling because
society now knows that
it needs its warriors back;
those who were always ready
to protect their families
and society through thick and thin.
I know it is your tear I hear
in your voice dear boy child,
but I want you to take heart.
Take heart because
society now knows that
it needs its wise men back,
those who planned for today,
tomorrow and for future generations;
those who were
trusted guides and advisors,
in spiritual and philosophical matters;
those who were mentors,
intellectuals, and sages;
those who were neither selfish
nor self-centered.
I know it is your tear I hear
in your voice dear boy child,
but I want you to feel encouraged.
Feel encouraged because
society now knows that
it needs its emotionally
and mentally strong,
stoic, and forbearing men back
to managing their families.
Men who will provide,
protect and care for their loved ones;
a boy child who can emotionally
take no as an answer from a girl
and not resort to violence
because he has learnt
it must not always be a yes.
I know it is your tear I hear
in your voice dear boy child,
but I want you to be hopeful.
Be hopeful because
society now knows that
it wants back nuclear families
complete with empowered men,
empowered women,
and empowered children.
Nuclear families who
will be able to deal with
the inevitable family squabbles and conflicts
soberly, peacefully and with love.
I know it is your tear I hear
in your voice dear boy child,
but I want you to be ready.
To be ready for that time
when society gives you a chance
to fulfill its wishes.
I know you will not disappoint because
you are smart enough.
Never second-guess your capabilities!
Don’t be afraid to unleash the best in you.
No matter the scars on your bleeding face, always look out for a healing shoulder.
Shine bright like
an excellent cut diamond,
and dare to succeed without apology.
I want you to be ready
even as you transition into men
to be a role model
for younger boy children to emulate.
Society seems to be ready, my boy child
for a robust debate, an honest discussion
about the identity of the boy child.
It seems to be ready
to go back to the roots
to find out what went wrong;
and put mechanisms in place
to invest in both genders equally.
