26 Comments
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Fiona's avatar

Love this , thank you for not dismissing women , you may have a man shaped view , but you’re a true gent x

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Dennis Noel Kavanagh's avatar

My man-shaped body and my man-shaped view and my man shaped world

Depends on there being a woman-shaped body and view and world to define it against

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Dennis Noel Kavanagh's avatar

And thank you Fiona :)

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Shel's avatar

These are no interchangeable things - this simple statement is a profound truth- thank you for speaking it

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mole at the counter's avatar

Even I liked this.

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David Williams's avatar

Good last line.

I like.

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Doreen Schmoreen's avatar

Oh wow. Moved to my core. Thank you.

I have often felt the same about: to be man...to walk through the world as a man.

It It reminds me of E.M. Forster: only connect 💕

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Radhwa Evans-Clare's avatar

Lovely poem, Dennis, I'm impressed by your talent, the words you've written and the sentiment in them. It's all true and anyone denying it based on their hatred of women, their desire to exploit, ridicule and humiliate us knows they are lying. As are the cowards who defend these vile bullies.

Owen Jones knows that trans women aren't women, and trans men aren't men. He lies about that just as he lied when he claimed he would have a relationship with a trans man. He wouldn't and as a gay man there's no reason why he should. He's isn't attracted to women, but even if was, if he was bisexual, for instance, I'm sure his hatred of women would prevent him from touching one or treating her like a human being.

All his blether over Freddie McConnell is just that. Jones doesn't believe 'he' is a man any more than I do, or than the midwives who delivered McConnell's babies do. Or the Court of Appeal who denied her wish to be named as the father on her son's birth certificate. She can say she's a man, she can insist her kids call her Dad, but she is neither. Being able to get pregnant and give birth to them must be a reminder of this. And I wish the best to the children, her son and her they/them. If they don't grow up with significant psychological problems they'll be very fortunate.

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Romily Perry's avatar

I love this poem. It is a powerful modern - man shaped - ode to humanity. I’m printing it out to decorate the holiday tables and add to gifts. Thank you.

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MissJemimaGC's avatar

Beautifully written, Dennis. And,of course, the man-shaped body and the woman-shaped body are needed for the existence of both. A fact conveniently dismissed and ignored by the other lot. No amount of surgical tinkering has yet solved that inconvenient truth.

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Linda's avatar

Love this . You have a man shaped body but the heart of a true mensch. Thanks Dennis , MORE Kavanagh poetry please, you always cheer me up or make me laugh or give me hope .for menkind

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T.J's avatar

I loved this Dennis! It made me quite emotional, thank you for thinking of women and how we move through the world differently to men.

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Sonya Douglas's avatar

I think this is quite beautiful, actually. It reminds me of the quote that we are “wonderfully, fearfully made”.

Universal and humanising.

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UnaS's avatar

‘Primal and basic’ is at the heart of the matter. Wonderful to read this (I will check out your other poems).

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Frances's avatar

I enjoyed your poem and will share :-)

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Jeremy Wickins's avatar

Have a man-shaped round of applause for that one, Dennis!

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Carolyn's avatar

Brilliant!

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Maria Duggan's avatar

I love this. Thank you

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