News flash

NYC CLIMATE WEEK
September 17-23
Volunteer &
Online Access to Workshops

NYC Climate Week
Hybrid Workshops
September 22
September 23


WEBINARS

Women Reclaiming Our Physical Power
Teresa Enrico
September 30 or
October 1

“Real Man Talk”

I ran* a poetry workshop called “Speaking as a Man,” in a men’s prison in the North of England. The theme was male identity and sexism. An ex-soldier wrote a poem that showed the harshness of internalised male oppression and underneath it he scrawled angrily, many times, “Real Man Talk.” The men and I decided to make this the title of their booklet. Then they challenged me to write a poem and this is what came out:

Wait. Real man talk comes
slowly. After dark corners
have been checked. After
safety locks have been
proved. Again. And again.
After you no longer will it
to come. It will come.
Stay still. Real man talk
startles easily. Recedes
fast into itself. Watch.
For a minuscule facial tick.
For a bead of sweat.
For a sideways glance
that lands. And bounces off.
Approve. With words. With
eyes. With an unspoken Yes.
Real man talk always
has its reasons

Leah Thorn
Folkestone, Kent, England


* “Ran” means conducted.

 


Last modified: 2022-12-25 10:17:04+00