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

Here's TSleeveless at our Voices In Power Poetry Open Mic Experience located in Philly on September 3, 2022.
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Video by @bagiimage on Instagram.
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we do not own the rights to the music in this video

[@masonmendoza1777]

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]

AMEN

[@ampster03]

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

[@jaleelrobertson8186]

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

[@vincentfigueroa4279]

Yeah this jawn hit different and almost choked me up 🙌

[@KStatus7]

I swear I felt the EXACT SAME WAY

[@johnnycrash2383]

"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]

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 😔

[@TrailMix2K]

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

[@Amotokai]

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]

I loved the duality in that.

[@trs8696]

Absolutely. That line killed me.

[@tentoesdown6247]

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

[@tkellz8141]

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

[@3volved]

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

[@jamesmatheny304]

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

[@lewcy]

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

[@ILoveYou-sg5bi]

@@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]

@@ILoveYou-sg5bi Amen.

[@gangstagotgame8099]

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

[@kaol-kerr]

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

[@kingaion_]

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

[@andrewalbrandt7585]

I've never shaked like this on my life

[@justinscott5072]

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]

Prayers, my brothers. You are not alone.

[@MrShadowPlaysGames]

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]

Search "Chris Rock - Unconditional Love"

[@coni7392]

😔

[@Hellzfury112]

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

[@carlossantana9517]

1 matha fucken thousand percent

[@jfor7074]

That made the tears come😞

[@M2MHR]

This deserves a grammy

[@t-shindalankston3621]

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@sevatar5762]

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

[@kevmoful]

May we all win the battles that nobody knows about .

[@Taiilz43]

For real man

[@THEORIGINALKINGCHARMING79]

Brother at arms

[@iAlec]

SO TRUE.

[@xDESERTRUSHx]

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]

Hope you win at whatever your fighting brother

[@Hope4Life26]

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]

@@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]

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]

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]

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

[@tyggna]

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.

[@brianb.5661]

I see you. I feel you

[@TheHectormartinez82]

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

[@fokinmohena]

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]

Thx for posting this 💯 💯 💯

[@wildhaert]

Thanks for this my G!

[@PrinceRichardKE]

Thank you for this.

[@ryan1e]

Thank you

[@redrum623az]

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

[@JMan-The_AntiCitizen-]

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

[@JMan-The_AntiCitizen-]

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]

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

[@olzarius]

"We're expected have thick skin but get judged if it turns to a hard shell" ... bro

[@brettbarnes3918]

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]

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

[@brandonmasters7819]

💯

[@j-meister8710]

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

[@jstrollins]

“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

[@jdeshetler01]

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]

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

[@EnigmaticBroffalo]

As a man, I don't think I could have said this better myself if I tried, this is everything that we feel as men and our value to the world. The reality is, this will never change, in fact it is only going to get worse. Get comfortable with your solitude and cling to the bros you make that are really there for you, because that is all we will ever get.

[@unveiledcoach4115]

Came here from TikTok. NEEDED TO HEAR THIS WHOLE.

[@zmusicman1965]

Same here!

[@anthonyatwell2346]

Me too

[@jimwest8902]

Same. This man is amazing. I see you!

[@MrCarolinaboy89]

Same.

[@LeMan8o4]

Facts!

[@derwinraymond8358]

"Either you used the stones at rock bottom to build a way out or get buried by them" 💯💯

[@DavidSamuel-gz7cf]

"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"

[@kaol-kerr]

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

[@thegodbulitlikebudda7090]

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]

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]

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]

@@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]

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.

[@ParvezHussain421]

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

[@TheBoBabsin]

"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]

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

[@kaol-kerr]

Consider yourself lucky and blessed 🙌

[@robertgrimm1723]

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]

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

[@johnbmarking]

My father died when I was eleven, but his light burned so brightly, i can still see it in my minds eye decades later. I think i may even be able to shine a little reflected piece of it, along with my own, onto my own little boys. Without the knowledge that he loved me and believed in me, i would never have made it through some very hard places.

[@dustinwebster6349]

Sending a giant hug to those who have felt this pain. It's deep and real and sadly so silent of a killer.

[@123jaharris]

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

[@nicoleellis7676]

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]

You are a unique woman.

[@somebitchfromluckystar]

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

[@gtkaparos]

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]

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

[@youngfreshsandwitch]

You have so many more brothers than you know. I promise we are not too far gone into that good night. Fight like the ancient blood inside your veins knows how to fight!

[@TheVitorLiberty]

That's the reason we learn to love our friends and brothers so much, even in his worst. Because that's the only love we get sometimes. And deep down we know a solitary man can be our doom.

[@DJAUDIO1]

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

[@1m_everywhere]

this hits harder everytime i listen

[@Tuhqa]

Scary accurate. Huge props to this dude

[@Byron-fu5hz]

"Nobody provides providers with provisions" went and got it tatted the day after I saw this video! Great message brother

[@shewrites.]

I'm a female and I felt this.

[@juliabryan8083]

Same

[@brokenarrow7621]

I only saw a short with this in it. I had to watch the whole thing as a man I cannot even begin to tell you every word I felt. I believe in the saying that “ a man crying doesn’t mean he isn’t strong enough it means he has been strong for too long” sometimes we need it. I myself have been starved for a long time. I am strong for my kids and my marriage that seems to be failing, I have to say it’s just nice to hear other men talk about the same thing I am going through myself. I continue and will continue to press on and be strong especially for my children. I am not against crying sometimes we need it. And I have taught my boy that it is ok to cry and when to be strong. I refuse to let society shape him.

[@BlackDivelRec]

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.

[@johnbmarking]

As a parent with four boys, i realized had to start saving them playlists to watch. He said it better than i could and i will memorize his steps and quote them. 'Step 1, you gonna be hungry. Previously i would quote from Reindeer games, "life is full of pain, you just get used to it."

[@mzjuiic3y09]

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]

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.

[@charlieueueueueue6578]

i cant ever listen to this without crying

[@alonzosoto4363]

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

[@slickwitted07]

As a man I felt this so hard. Brother I am in tears

[@TokinJudokan]

"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 🤙

[@myou55512]

i felt every word in this poeme and cried for the first time in year

[@marco.d.c.]

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]

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

[@andrewalbrandt7585]

I forgot how to cry a long time ago

[@milosheski]

I have just heard the story of my life, and according to the comments, I am relieved that I am not alone, but I am sad at the same time that we are all struggling. Mens health is something that needs to be discussed on a daily basis, we have to be able to show that we can be week and not judged for that like we are week, but comforted and encouraged. I am crying while writing this, and I have not cried since mu father died in 2015. Since then, a lot of sh1t happened in my life. I hope you all heal from the things that hurt you, stay strong, but also be comfortable when you feel week and take your time to heal.

[@BladeWarFare]

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

[@Dreamdidit]

This one gets me every time. To hear that we aren’t alone, it makes the biggest difference.

[@joshbowman9481]

‘At a soccer game, remember what it was like to be a boy running to a goal’

[@E4nvy]

I'm a rock and pillar for my family, it's my job. To be strong. I watch this offen and just break down alone. Thank you brother.

[@dpark3175]

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

[@helenacoombe5188]

Came here from FB to hear it all. I can't stop crying ..as a woman and a mother,, this made my heart, break. 😢😢

[@rxvertxd3004]

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

[@danelc8434]

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

[@zanderwohl]

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

[@youngfreshsandwitch]

Only those who know what it’s like to be lost in the storm ALONE with no one coming for you can make it out, then willingly go back into the storm just to drag as many people out as they can.

[@horm]

Sobbing to this after stumbling on a clip from Instagram and seeking out the full version. As someone in his 40s only really beginning to start to unpack all my baggage, this hit so hard. I will never dispute the notion of male privilege- it's real and anyone claiming otherwise is foolish- but it comes with an unhealthy side of everything this young man described. For all the ways society works in our material favor, it works to destroy our spirits; if it even acknowledges that we have spirits to destroy or the emotional depths to understand their destruction.

[@UDCMComedy]

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

[@MellHeartsEverybody]

Every. Day.

[@jinenjuce]

The first time most men will ever get adoration and flowers is at his funeral

[@berlinetta88able]

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

[@suzannewilliams3673]

As a woman i would like to say that was absolutely amazing! Well-done! And thankyou!😊

[@jasonwendelljr4405]

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]

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

[@Loop42]

Ever heard of empathy?

[@MrIkOgNiTo]

​@@Loop42 heard of it but never experienced

[@tierrahnicole222]

Wow absolutely amazing King 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 well done

[@steventollefson5418]

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.

[@jawnydru2264]

A man with an old soul is just a boy who contemplated going ghost.. thank you man. I feel noticed and understood

[@matthewgunn6003]

I don’t know if the artist will ever see this, but you gotta know I was hit by probably one of the more innocuous lines you wrote. “No one taught the boy to cry, so he would do it at all the wrong times. In the barber chair….” Bro, I had that exact experience 1 year ago. An older lady was cutting my hair and, for half a second, mothered me, stroking the back of my head with a tenderness I didn’t know I was ignoring “the hunger” for and I almost completely lost it. I barely got to my car after ward before I broke down. Your poetry is great but it’s the little pieces of this one that spoke my story in ways you probably never intended.

[@__vkay]

This literally put a frog in my throat like damn. FELT

[@TheJesusNerd40]

I cried hearing this because this has been my life for 30+ years and onward. Society hates men and boys. Women especially hate us. Women will never ever understand what it's like to be a man. They have it easy. Thank you, TSleelveless for speaking for millions of us who don't have a voice in the darkness of despair.

[@stephenroberts8642]

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

[@dylandavis5178]

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]

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

[@sippsoppsentertainments]

This has moved me to tears! Thank you for sharing this with us all xx

[@byronthibeaux17]

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.

[@carlitosac1054]

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

[@NicholsMarn]

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]

Damn brother I hope you heal quickly and get better

[@elephantgraveyard86]

Wow!! Just wow!!!!

[@LuisRamirez-nb6sh]

“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

[@carljohnson6264]

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

[@jakethomas8738]

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.

[@Dunno-h8r]

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

[@mzhardy10]

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

[@ChristopherMoye]

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

[@taxesrtheft]

im a 30 year old white man and this makes me weep for all of us,..

[@johntravolvo9830]

Man that resonates. Beautifully spoken, true artful poetry.

[@jonathanlawrence9383]

“You’re only as good as you are useful” These comments are very “comforting” We are not alone.

[@danieldeville7813]

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.

[@paul_aguy]

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

[@Iaapwm]

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.

[@jencoffee4013]

TSleeveless 4 President!😀

[@Ryuk84]

Beautiful, truthful. This hits hard.

[@dannyswettenham1251]

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

[@jonathanspurgin3235]

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. 🙏🏻 💯

[@TiffanyMorgan-d5z]

Damn this was deep. Got me crying I had to rewatch it again.

[@traphouseboot5443]

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 .

[@demoneyesjosh]

Every female needs to hear this this is beautiful and true

[@Harrysonwhite]

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

[@joshfloyd7755]

"Most men will only ever receive unconditional love from their mothers, and some of us dont even get that" That hit me like runaway truck!