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What a boy should be
Posted: 19 January 2005
Word Count: 129
Summary: I'm expecting our first child in 5 weeks. It got me thinking.
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When I was a boy I thought like I thought a boy should think. I thought in blue, not pink. I felt like adventure not conversation. That’s what a boy should think.
When I was a boy I did what I did because that’s what boys do. I played football not netball. I played with cars, I never picked flowers. That’s what a boy should do.
When I was a boy I never let my feelings let me let my feelings out. I bottled up my difference, I never celebrated it. I only cried when I was alone, I never hugged anyone. That’s how boys should feel.
If I have a boy I’ll teach myself to teach him what a boy should be. Be yourself and make me proud.
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Comments by other Members
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 Dee at 20:38 on 19 January 2005
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Bav, this is a notable little moment in a life. I like it.. apart from this:
I never let my feelings let me let my feelings out
I thought it was a wonderful line but I had to read it umpteen times before I understood it. Sorry, I can’t suggest any suitable alternative.
Dee
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Dee at 21:18 on 19 January 2005
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No problem, Bav.
If you feel strongly enough about that line, then you must keep it. That’s the beauty of being a writer! Don't you just love it?
Dee
;)
<Added>
Godd luck with the birth. Do you know it's a boy? Or is that artistic licence?
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 Bav Dav at 22:01 on 19 January 2005
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Thanks Dee, I don't know the sex I just thought I could relate to boyness. I don't have any preference.
Yes, it's great being a writer.
B
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Harry at 02:25 on 20 January 2005
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Hi, Bav.
I enjoyed this, a nice piece. I felt the prose was only inches away from becoming verse.
Like Dee, I had to re-read a couple of the lines, but ended up liking them all. Good stuff.
Congrats on your impending parenthood! There's nothing like it.
All the best
Harry
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Sue H at 06:05 on 20 January 2005
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That's lovely! I liked that line to although I had to read it very slowly! Good luck when the new one arrives - boy or girl. Let us know!
Sue
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eyeball at 07:11 on 20 January 2005
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I'll second those sentiments, Bav. Very nice. And I can see why you want to keep that line despite its complexity.
Sharon
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 Becca at 07:39 on 20 January 2005
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Hi Barry,
your piece was close to poetry. I thought though that if you were to change the last line to 'what a boy could be', instead of 'should' be, it would make the point better because you've used the idea of 'should' to mean what was always expected of boys, - i.e. boys don't cry. 'Could be' would indicate how much more a boy might aspire to.
Good luck and mountains of energy to you for the new tiny person to come.
Becca.
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 Nell at 08:33 on 20 January 2005
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Hi Bav, a beautiful thoughful little piece. Loved ...I thought in blue, not pink... and although I had to read the line Dee picked out twice I liked it nevertheless. All best wishes to you all for the coming and continuing miracle, I'd love to read more pieces like this from the new dad's perspective.
Nell.
<Added>
Typo alert: thoughtful
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Bav Dav at 10:00 on 20 January 2005
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Thanks all,
Becca, I never know where to draw the line between poetry and prose to be honest. Strictly speaking I don't write poetry because I find it too restrictive. On the other hand I have no idea how to describe a piece like this. Does it have a name?
B
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 Noor at 16:15 on 20 January 2005
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Hi Bav, I am new to this and I was skimming through some of the postings when yours jumped out. I loved this piece. I am sure most people can associate with it in one way or another. Very thought-provoking and emotional. I can relate despite being female! I relate to it in the exact opposite of always being expected to think and act like a girl SHOULD. Being a tomboy this was extremely difficult!
I have just posted the first two chapters of my book on this site. If you get a chance I would love to hear what you and anyone else think.
Noor
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Anj at 16:32 on 22 January 2005
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Awwww. Great, thoughtful but not sickly. Thought "Be yourself and make me proud." was a bit of an anti-climax, maybe a bit too obvious - it was so good I felt it deserved something just that bit special to round it off.
But anyway, best of luck with the baby. You'll be tired but you'll have a ball
Andrea
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Bav Dav at 16:45 on 22 January 2005
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Thanks Andrea, I got a bit emotional when I wrote it and I couldn't really bring myself to make any changes.
B
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gard at 18:18 on 22 January 2005
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Hi Bavdav just read this on the random read. Very good, especially like the first verse it has such a swing/nice rhythm to it.
G
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