Quiet mornings
Sitting alone
The echoes of memories
Long unforgotten
Tap insistently
At the brain
Music doesn’t
Drown out the voices
Night lights can’t
Chase away
The ghosts and monsters
From the past
Cloak yourself
With the cape
Of unconditional love
From others true
But more important the love
Of yourself
Arm yourself
With the crystal sword
That comes with remembered smiles
Those swords
Can carve out the words
From the sentences
Rewriting the stories
Into your own
Surround yourself
Your arms
Your heart
With the precious memories
That bring peace
To your soul
bullying
No Lasting Effects?
Those who have never
Lived through the words
Don’t know that of which
They speak
Thirty years later
The words still echo
Their bites still sting
Lies and laughter
Echo down memory halls
Add insult to injury
It happened its over
Get over it
Go on
Why dwell
You’re stupid
Bullied now
About being bullied then?
Are you serious
Those who have never
Heard the words
Directed at them
Don’t know
Can’t feel
Refuse to see
The words
The taunting
The derisive laughter
Change you
Alter your world
Mark your heart
For life
Change the you
You could have been
But aren’t
Fight back
In a way
That shows the world
Bullies and all
While
Bruises fade
And
Echoes quiet
Survival and success
Are The very best revenge
The Look
I’ve never cared
who you are
or who you love
as long as I can
call you my friend
I understood
Stood up for my friends
for what matters
just because it matters
I understood
The day came
when I heard the words
that other parents
dread
Mom I’m gay
I heard the stories
first hand
I was read the news
first hand
Threats became real
hearing that he had tried
to join the ranks of
bullied to death
and I UNDERSTOOD
Then came the day
when I was talking
to friends
people I see every day
people who tell me
their problems
the bad
the good
the just talking
we share
The day came when
I shared
Proud,
I met my son’s boyfriend
they are so alike
wonderful to see
I shared
and I saw
And I REALLY REALLY UNDERSTOOD
The look
The one that says
hate
evil
defective
I saw the look
directed at me
through me
at you
and the pain
like a physical slap
across my face
drew breath
and now
I not only understand
but a mother called
to protect the young
now I am involved
Definition
I defy
Your determination
To define
My destiny
I am my definition
I don’t need you
To impose upon me
Your fears and insecurities
Prejudices, hate and derision
I am me
The bestest me
That anyone can be
You cannot take the me
Away from me
I walk this world
Defining
Redefining
Enjoying the sun and the shade
I belong
As much as you belong
I don’t dis you
All I ask
Accept me for me
Bullied
The pain of having been
scag
dyno-mutt
looser-cruiser
worthless
dweeb
is nothing
compared
to watching your babies
live through
name calling
laughter
criticism
violence
Bullying once removed
Bullying exponential
rips a hole
in my heart
in my mind
in my soul
Clandestine Writing... 