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Painful Perspectives: Bullying In America

Painful Perspectives Bullying in America "About 77% of students have admitted to being the victim of of one type of bullying or another." --www.bullyingstatistics.org My stomach tightens once again By now I know the drill It doesn't matter what I do Move on, scream out, stand still My heartbeat throbbing louder now As heavy footsteps near My mouth, dry as a cotton ball My shoulders hunch in fear Suddenly, I feel the sting My cheek turns cherry red The smack has almost knocked me down The pain shoots through my head Now words so cruel they pierce my heart I try to block the sound My efforts useless yet again Scars stain my soul deep down I touch my flesh to feel it swell My light begins to die My head held low, I walk away Too numb by now to cry... "Approximately 30% of young people admit to bullying others." ---www.americanspcc.org For me, each morning starts the same No feelings, just routine Commands and orders barked my way "Get up! Get dressed! Get clean!" I step into the blinding sun Yet pause before I go Just once to hear, "I love you dear." The door slams; I should know The sadness that I used to feel Has slowly turned to rage So off to school I stomp ahead My heart locked in a cage Not long after I arrive I choose my timid deer My heavy footsteps lead the way Toward the scent of fear My hand hits flesh; I feel relieved To share my hidden pain I utter words so cruel and vile Too numb to feel ashamed... "It is reported that 70.6% of young people say they have seen bullying in schools." ---www.americanspcc.org Standing near my closest friend I feel the tension rise By now, I know what to expect Not once am I surprised My fingers tremble slightly still As I await the scene I fight the stinging in my eyes Why is this world so mean? I watch my best friend cower now The same thing every day I cringe for what's about to come As predator seeks prey My inner struggle swallows me I long to take a stand I fear the wrath if I intrude Escape, I haven't planned So helplessly I witness pain Inflicted on my friend I wish I had the courage to Make the bullying end...

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Paul Flynn

Date: 5/7/2022 3:41:00 AM

If you had to endure this kind of treatment i'm very sorry......keep your head held high....you will prevail in the end.....

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 5/9/2022 8:17:00 AM

Thank you, Paul, for your kind remarks! I did endure this cruel treatment, just as millions of others did and still do to this day. However, I believe that it made me stronger because I had to endure and learn to keep my head high, as you stated. Thanks again for stopping by. You are so very kind! Blessings...Meghan!

John Watt

Date: 2/26/2022 3:51:00 PM

Hi Meghan, I just read an amazing poem about bullying I thought I would pass along to you. It's by Susan Lawrence and it's called "Eight" - she was 8 when the incident occurred and the trauma still resides. https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/eight_1288006. I hope you are enjoying your weekend, my friend ~ John

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 2/27/2022 9:31:00 AM

Thank you for sharing this poet and her poem with me! I will definitely read it, especially since you recommended it! Much love...Meghan

John Watt

Date: 2/17/2022 6:19:00 PM

(part 2) ... encouragement. I love your symmetry of 5 stanzas per perspective, the way each section builds in dread towards the final stanza, and your effective use of rhyme and meter to make this depiction of an epidemic problem more readable. What's really amazing is that with your personal history of being bullied, you have risen from those ashes to champion the cause of bullying victims and comfort them with your empathy. I'd say that is nothing short of a miracle. Going in my faves... hugs ~ John

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 2/19/2022 1:51:00 PM

Wow! John, my mouth is agape & my eyes are filled with tears of appreciation. You are an amazing poet, but I hope you also realize what an incredibly talented writer you are! You've summed up my 3-perspective poem perfectly, including the purpose. Due to my personal connection with bullying, it was easy to write the part of the victim. However, it is always important to observe situations from the perspective of others. That's one reason empathy is so important. I love teaching that to my students, or at least making them aware of it. Quite often, I create activities where my students can view stories & situations from different perspectives. The challenge ends up being so rewarding & they learn so much. Thank you for this absolutely beautiful response. No one could've written this any better! Much love...Meghan

John Watt

Date: 2/17/2022 6:15:00 PM

Meghan, after the discussion we had about bullying, it seems like a good time to leave you a comment on your first submission to PS. I didn't realize until today that you started here in 2015! I started a year after you did. You now have my permission to call me the new kid on the block! Such an amazing first entry... the poetic technique of viewing an issue through 3 different lenses is just brilliant... it exposes the reader to 3 unique POVs that allows the severity of the situation to sink in while also building compassion for those who are imprisoned by the cycle of violence. The answer to "why is this world so mean?" has the root of an answer in stanza 2. Though it does not excuse the perpetuation of violence or bullying, it is true that much bullying arises from those who themselves are bullied or who have no source of love, nurture, training, or

Gwendolyn Cloyd

Date: 1/26/2022 1:45:00 PM

So true- this poem is about Bullying. As a child, I was bullied at home and at school. Things at school almost got out of hand, I see these kids being pushed too far and picking the wrong avenue of handling the situation, and I can almost understand why, but do not agree with the methods. This is an Epidemic This is a heartfelt poem and well-received... Thank you -

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 1/26/2022 3:03:00 PM

Oh Gwendolyn, my heart breaks for you, dear. I can empathize, although most of my bullying was at school. You are right on point when you say this is an epidemic, and I personally believe that most of the programs thrown at schools are simply rhetoric and propaganda. As a teacher, you have to step to the front lines & get to know family & their story. We haven't even begun to heal. Thank you for reading. God bless and much love...Meghan.

L Milton Hankins

Date: 12/27/2021 7:16:00 PM

Thank you for sharing this poem, Meghan. As one who was bullied by a parent and, later, by schoolmates, believe me I understand the frustration. Bullying must be confronted at every level in every venue until it is stopped. It is so unfortunate, but some people are bullied at home, at school, and at their workplace in succession, so they live with it until it steals their life away. Blessings to you!

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 1/26/2022 2:59:00 PM

Thank you for your response, Milton! I'm so very sorry to hear of your own bullying. I, too, was bullied relentlessly as a child in every way possible, so I can empathize in many ways. I will never stop trying to help break the cycle in families in whatever way I can. God bless and much love...Meghan.

Ann Peck

Date: 12/20/2021 10:35:00 AM

Meghan, You've said it so well ~ why are people cruel and what can we do about it. Why aren't bullies sent by schools to therapy? Why isn't their home life looked into by child welfare? So many people have given up on this problem, and bullying is getting worse among adults! Thank you for writing about it :)

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 12/20/2021 8:37:00 PM

Ann, thank you so much for your kind remarks! After 20+ years of teaching and having 0 tolerance for any type of bullying in my classroom, it is still a grand experiment. I can tell you that most children want to be kind and stand up for their friends. The most I should say otherwise is that there is a bigger problem with adults and coverup regarding discipline. Blessings! --Meghan

Andrew John

Date: 12/20/2021 2:07:00 AM

Knowing the drill can indeed be painful.

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 12/20/2021 8:34:00 PM

Yes, Andrew, the drill from any of three perspective I wrote about can be painful. It's trying to dig beneath the surface before any of those scenarios come to play that is the mystery. Knowing alone simply won't fix it, but awareness is a start. Blessings! -Meghan

Franci Hoffman

Date: 12/19/2021 8:14:00 AM

Inner struggles caused by bullying are brilliantly expressed. I'll never understand why people have to be so mean.

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 12/20/2021 8:32:00 PM

Thank you, Franci, for stating my message in that way, because that's exactly what I was trying to get across. The perspectives of all the players in a bullying situation are so intricate, yet each person suffers. It's truly heartbreaking. God bless you, and Happy Holidays! --Meghan

Thomas Flood

Date: 12/18/2021 12:52:00 PM

not a big reader of poetry ,but this is certainly one of the best I've read ,brilliant

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 12/20/2021 8:30:00 PM

I'm speechless, Thomas! Every comment I receive on here truly touches the depths of my heart and I mean that 100%. Poetry is my escape and my love. Your comment blows me away and brings that joyful tear to my eye that reminds me of why God gave me this talent. Thank you, and God bless you. Happy Holidays! --Love Meghan

Joanna Feltham

Date: 12/18/2021 12:47:00 PM

Beautifully written. Thank you for sharing.

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 12/20/2021 8:26:00 PM

Wow! Thank you very much, Joanna! You are very welcome. I am so glad you enjoyed! Happy Holidays and many blessings to you and your family! --Meghan

Donna Roberts

Date: 12/18/2021 12:11:00 PM

A favorite for me You did an excellent job conveying the inner struggle And bringing the awareness

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 12/20/2021 8:25:00 PM

Thank you so much, Donna! That truly touches my heart! I hope my message resonates with many, but I'm sure the people who really need to hear it are not the ones reading it! However, I very much appreciate your kind words! Blessings! -Meghan

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 11/14/2021 7:50:00 PM

A marvellous write Meghan, though sad to say bullying is worldwide. We hear of terrible things happening every day here in the UK, I really don’t know why some people hunt out and hurt their victims as they do, it’s simply unbelievable. Regards, Belle

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 12/20/2021 8:24:00 PM

Thank you, Belle, for your kind remarks. I completely agree with you. I am so sensitive to violence and people and animals hurting. In fact, right now, I am enduring my own traumatic experience of a stalker and people trying to harm me. Poetry is my escape, as I have very little support. Even with some money, I may be homeless for Christmas because it's too dangerous for me to go home. Blessings! -Meghan

Virginia Gelok

Date: 6/5/2021 8:31:00 AM

OMG...I feel like (you?) this person in the poem truly knows what you are saying. I felt the agony this person was going through from youngster to teen. You definitely know what you ARE WRITING ABOUT. Thankyou for joining PS...we will all enjoy reading your work. Welocme to this great group.

Skat A

Date: 7/21/2016 3:25:00 PM

Meghan, well penned. Enjoyed reading your thoughts and words today. *SKAT*

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 6/9/2021 12:40:00 AM

Dear SKAT, This is a VERY belated thank you for last few extremely kind and inspirational comments you gave me!! I'm sorry I never responded before. I am just now truly taking some time to focus on my writing more, so I will drop you a line now and then. I'd love to get to know you and your writing style better!! "Virtual hugs"!!!!

Skat A

Date: 8/8/2015 12:46:00 AM

Hi Meghan, Welcome to Poetry Soup. It will be a delight to read and become familiar with your poems in the future. As for now, I will greet you with the same smile others passed when I first joined the soup. Wishing you and your poetry the best. I hope you get to meet all the nice poets around here STARTING with me- SKAT :-) Please drop a hello and tell me a little about yourself if you wish. I would like to be your newest poetry soup "FRIEND" Hugs* SKAT

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 8/7/2015 11:56:00 PM

Meghan, A nice warm WELCOME to poetry soup. I hope you have fun with this wonderful community. You'll find many friendly poets who are ready to support and give positive feedback. I will enjoy following you and your poetry when you are ready :) We are Lucky To Have you. Enjoy Poetry Soup:) Your New Poet Friend @-> LINDA <-@

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 6/9/2021 12:42:00 AM

Here is a very belated thank you for your extremely beautiful and considerate invitation to this community! Now that I'm writing more, I am using this site more often, and I do enjoy it, so thank you for your original warm welcome!!

Pam Deremer

Date: 8/6/2015 5:01:00 PM

Thank you for your very real picture. I think the teachers and the school's need to start taking a hard line against bullying.

Meghan Hutchings
Date: 6/9/2021 12:49:00 AM

I apologize for the extremely belated thank you, but I appreciate your comment. As a teacher myself, I could not agree more! I have zero tolerance for bullying in my classroom, so I'd love for teachers to share these perspectives with students. I know the statistics change every year, so I probably need to update the poem statistics often. I agree with you, though, that words are not enough because so many schools say they are taking a hard line or have zero tolerance, but I see such an inconsistent definition of bullying being thrown around. It's truly heartbreaking. I do pray these people find God. Thank you, again, for your kind words!