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Man Box: Poems
Man Box illuminates the seemingly insignificant patriarchal forces that manifest into a toxic masculinity capable of damaging lives and our planet.
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Endorsements
“Man Box can open up important conversations in gender studies classes everywhere.”
—Dr. Joe Boehman, Dean of Richmond College, University of Richmond
“Cameron Conaway has created a collection of poems from deep in the heart and soul of an ever-changing and healing masculinity. He masterfully uses personal experience and perspective to make visible what so many of us feel but never question, much less articulate. Each poem is an invitation to the reader to feel, to reflect, and to change. As someone who uses artistic expression to ask men and boys to consider and create healthy masculinities, I am grateful to have Man Box as an extraordinary resource.”
—Dr. Tom Schiff, Founder and Executive Director, Phallacies, Inc. and Founding Director of the UMass Men and Masculinities Center
“In this exquisite collection, Conaway breaks the manacles of manhood by bravely disrupting its ‘lexicon of destruction.’ In dialogue with texts that range from ancient to popular culture, his poems explore the myriad ways that boys are ‘the first victims / and the second perpetrators …broken to see / the world as theirs but not / until they murder it.’ The strength of these poems comes from the tenderness and vulnerability they unapologetically express—and the dazzling prosody by which they express it. If ever a book of poetry had the promise to make a vital impact on our contemporary culture, it is Man Box.”
—Christina Cook, author of Ricochet and A Strange Insomnia
“Man Box is a heart-full exploration of how we train men to be men, how men go about being men, and the consequences for us all. From boyhood to war to moonlight to death, Conaway bares his soul to help us see our own.”
—Keith E. Edwards, PhD., scholar and educator on men’s identity
“Conaway’s work bleeds an authentic truth; the poems offered in Man Box are a direct extension of that truth–the truth about what it takes to redefine the realms of masculinity and manhood. Man Box equips readers with the kind of strength and fortitude that only comes when one is present in the moments that matter most. These poems ultimately leave readers emotionally involved, as if the speaker is sitting right next to them and challenging them to turn their thoughts into meaningful action.”
—Erin Kelly, author of How To Wait
“Finally a book that doesn’t just talk about challenging toxic masculinity. Humble, perceptive, and gut-wrenchingly vulnerable, Man Box embodies the characteristics necessary for men and boys to redefine manhood in America. Through vivid images from his own complicated history with toxic masculinity, Conaway demonstrates how honest self-reflection can be healing and freeing for men. Man Box is a road map for anyone who dreams of a world where men and boys can be their authentic selves. If we are going to build that world, these poems will help guide the way.”
—Kyle Ashlee, author of VITAL: A Torch For Your Social Justice Journey, and recipient of the 2018 Harry Canon Outstanding Professional Award from the Coalition on Men and Masculinities
‘”Boys are the weaponized / weapons of war.’ In the world of these poems, our world,‘ they are. . . broken to see / the world as theirs but not / until they murder it.’ These poems observe the ways in which men form each other, in violence and also tenderness.
***
Endorsements
“Man Box can open up important conversations in gender studies classes everywhere.”
—Dr. Joe Boehman, Dean of Richmond College, University of Richmond
“Cameron Conaway has created a collection of poems from deep in the heart and soul of an ever-changing and healing masculinity. He masterfully uses personal experience and perspective to make visible what so many of us feel but never question, much less articulate. Each poem is an invitation to the reader to feel, to reflect, and to change. As someone who uses artistic expression to ask men and boys to consider and create healthy masculinities, I am grateful to have Man Box as an extraordinary resource.”
—Dr. Tom Schiff, Founder and Executive Director, Phallacies, Inc. and Founding Director of the UMass Men and Masculinities Center
“In this exquisite collection, Conaway breaks the manacles of manhood by bravely disrupting its ‘lexicon of destruction.’ In dialogue with texts that range from ancient to popular culture, his poems explore the myriad ways that boys are ‘the first victims / and the second perpetrators …broken to see / the world as theirs but not / until they murder it.’ The strength of these poems comes from the tenderness and vulnerability they unapologetically express—and the dazzling prosody by which they express it. If ever a book of poetry had the promise to make a vital impact on our contemporary culture, it is Man Box.”
—Christina Cook, author of Ricochet and A Strange Insomnia
“Man Box is a heart-full exploration of how we train men to be men, how men go about being men, and the consequences for us all. From boyhood to war to moonlight to death, Conaway bares his soul to help us see our own.”
—Keith E. Edwards, PhD., scholar and educator on men’s identity
“Conaway’s work bleeds an authentic truth; the poems offered in Man Box are a direct extension of that truth–the truth about what it takes to redefine the realms of masculinity and manhood. Man Box equips readers with the kind of strength and fortitude that only comes when one is present in the moments that matter most. These poems ultimately leave readers emotionally involved, as if the speaker is sitting right next to them and challenging them to turn their thoughts into meaningful action.”
—Erin Kelly, author of How To Wait
“Finally a book that doesn’t just talk about challenging toxic masculinity. Humble, perceptive, and gut-wrenchingly vulnerable, Man Box embodies the characteristics necessary for men and boys to redefine manhood in America. Through vivid images from his own complicated history with toxic masculinity, Conaway demonstrates how honest self-reflection can be healing and freeing for men. Man Box is a road map for anyone who dreams of a world where men and boys can be their authentic selves. If we are going to build that world, these poems will help guide the way.”
—Kyle Ashlee, author of VITAL: A Torch For Your Social Justice Journey, and recipient of the 2018 Harry Canon Outstanding Professional Award from the Coalition on Men and Masculinities
‘”Boys are the weaponized / weapons of war.’ In the world of these poems, our world,‘ they are. . . broken to see / the world as theirs but not / until they murder it.’ These poems observe the ways in which men form each other, in violence and also tenderness.
93 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 20, 2018
About the author
Cameron Conaway
8 books246 followers
Cameron Conaway
is a workplace feedback expert and the author of six books, including Malaria, Poems, one of NPR's best books of the year.
• Take his free constructive feedback course: Constructive Feedback at Work.
• You can also take the course in smaller parts via this YouTube playlist.
• Also check out his constructive feedback guide.
See also:
• What is feedback?
• Constructive feedback definition
• Feedback Services
• Change management definition
• Feedback Tips Weekly, a LinkedIn newsletter
• Take his free constructive feedback course: Constructive Feedback at Work.
• You can also take the course in smaller parts via this YouTube playlist.
• Also check out his constructive feedback guide.
See also:
• What is feedback?
• Constructive feedback definition
• Feedback Services
• Change management definition
• Feedback Tips Weekly, a LinkedIn newsletter
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 28, 2018
Man Box is a collection of thought-provoking poems that addresses several themes ranging from gender roles to social justice issues. Conaway uses poetry to break down the definition of masculinity, including its place in current events. Reading some of the poems through a mother's eyes revealed my responsibility in imposing society's perceptions of masculinity on my son. Conaway weaves words in ways that challenge readers without preaching to them. In strategically placing quotes from people and books in between each poem, he drives home the message about how if we're willing to let go of our perceived notions of masculinity we can work on a solution to the issues our fathers, sons and brothers face today. I also commend Conaway for addressing Black Lives Matter, the #MeToo Movement and the current division in our country today. I read this book over many times because I had to process the emotions the poems invoked. As someone who's read all of Conaway’s books, this one is my favorite so far since it dares me to look at myself and my own beliefs.
Displaying 1 of 1 review