“They’re good boys,”
a mother proclaimed
as she left them alone
as if they were tamed.
And I waited to see
if this were really true
since “boys will be boys”
as they are entitled to.
At first it did seem,
like she may have been right
until the words pouring out
contained more than a little bite.
Two girls became victim
to words that leave a mark
and their true colors showed
even through the dark.
Will the day ever arrive
when this is not okay?
Will these boys ever learn
the things they should not say?
The worst thought of all,
as these boys become men,
they learn not a thing
as they become good men.
Autumn Siders 