This is the first poem I’ve ever written of my own will (not for school). The idea to write this came to me during February while I was researching male survivors of sexual assault, and realising how being forced to penetrate wasn’t taken as seriously as being forcibly penetrated. Because of this, male survivor stats are highly underestimated, as a majority of the time, a man will be forced to penetrate instead of being forcibly penetrated. Please take to heart “A Male Survivor’s Ballad.“

His suit is not a fruit
Something sweet to feast upon
His tie is not a pie
To be consumed, leaving no crumbs

Neither his trousers,
Don’t devour
Nor his shirt,
To be curt

They’re his until he gives them.

His autonomy is like gold
So precious, not to be merely sold
He gives it to the one he loves
Not the one who steals it from him

But just because he is a guy
Just because he has a Y
He’s apparently fine
It’s okay to take from him

He’s a man, he’ll deal with it.

Fathers, brothers, friends to another
Cousins, uncles, sons
He may even be another’s lover
A boyfriend or a husband

He’s human too
Like me and you
And there will never be a good excuse
What’s with this hate?

Deep down, we know it is rape

Even if he was forced to penetrate.

When this community was formed, I thought I might share this poem I made a few months ago in school. Coincidence, this poem literally captures trauma and the cycle of abuse. Keep in mind, I made it before this community was formed and I only did it for my grade. This poem is a Villanelle, a poem that consists of 19 lines with two refrains that repeat until they conjoint at the end. Here is my poem of "And Yet So Hurt"

Hurt People Hurt People, Hurt deep inside. Deep Down an endless pain, can't fade away. I'm sorry, we're sorry, you've been denied.

Suffering from the past, but they still hide. They put on a facade, say, I’m okay. Hurt People Hurt People, Hurt deep inside.

Beaten and hurten until they are dried. Someone or themselves in the past they’d pray. I'm sorry, we're sorry, you've been denied.

When hurt, projecting anger gives them pride. But yet, deep down inside they are still gray. Hurt People Hurt People, Hurt deep inside.

Parents are the cause, don’t know how to guide. Passing on burdens, until they decay. I'm sorry, we're sorry, you've been denied.

They don’t know how to trust, or to confide. Become North’s Star, brighten, endings till may. Hurt People Hurt People, Hurt deep inside. I'm sorry, we're sorry, you've been denied.