Erasing self, to keep
your social stature
is a sacrifice no parent
should expect a child to give.
… and afterwards…
what kind of wild darkness
can you pour into the aching void
they leave in children
on conversion therapy?
Void by Carsten NicolaiFor Marian at toads, inspired by the music and video from the film Boy Erased.
Running in the slow lane
The view from here ... Or here!
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” — Albert Einstein
chronicling my quarter life crisis
Now we see through a glass, darkly
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The Quantumverse
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Björn Rudbergs writings 
If there was ever a more damaging thing than conversion therapy, I dont know what it is, telling someone they are not good enough just as they are which, of course, we are, though it takes some time after childhood to figure that out. Love the format of this poem, Bjorn. It works perfectly.
It’s too much sacrifice indeed; it’s gut-wrenching because it’s denying a person their selfhood. No one should have to go through this, either through an established system or other conniving ways in which the “loved ones” create a toxic environment.
Well penned!
Wonderfully said and true.
In awe of your poem ……
heartbreaking
My second daughter was very spirited / difficult. I remember that I never wanted to break her spirit, as I knew it would serve her well in adult life. “Erasure” is a good word.
pour wild darkness into the aching void… wow.. love that Bjorn.
To try to force someone into erasing who they are is so cruel.
This is really a good question, what kind of aching darkness will come to fill that space where love should be? And what are the repercussions?
I haven’t seen the movie, but the idea of conversion therapy appalls me. How people think that something like this is a good thing rather than a nightmare makes my gut churn. People should be loved and accepted just as they are!