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Back To School

Some kids are dreading going back to school
They fear running into those who bullied them
Anxiety is heightened by puberty’s demands,
The feeling that no adult really understands.

While many are excited getting back to friends
Some kids are dreading going back to school,
Facing pressures from the unfamiliar routines
Such is the lot of today’s technical-savvy teens.

Feeling threatened in once a safe environment
Bludgeoned with peer pressure and new rules,
Some kids are dreading going back to school,
Concerned someone might label them a fool.

Not knowing exactly whom they can trust
Hoping to make a friend, someone to talk to
Who’ll have their back, who is incredibly cool,  
Some kids are dreading going back to school.

Written August 1, 2022

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 8/2/2022 1:33:00 PM With social media allowing bouts of bullying in all directions, this has become a real problem now "Feeling threatened in once a safe environment Bludgeoned with peer pressure and new rules, Some kids are dreading going back to school, Concerned someone might label them a fool." - it is worse than ever before! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/2/2022 2:03:00 PM From what I understand, Caren, it is, and it is so sad for the kids. By the way, you have a contest to judge on PS. I hope you don't get annoyed with my reminders. I'm just trying to help.

Gershon Wolf Date: 8/1/2022 6:45:00 PM Actually, I always dreaded going back to school. I HATED school, until college and beyond. Oh, well. Different strokes. Today, there's stuff to fear, I guess. Not so much, back in the day. :) gw Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/1/2022 7:10:00 PM I do so hope you were never bullied, gw. Going to school was miserable for me at times. I thought it would never end. But, when I got into college, it was much, much better.

Elizabeth Mccann Date: 8/1/2022 4:11:00 PM Absolutely! Keep your kids talking to you. I found out only 20 years later that my shy, polite son was being caned for handing in an essay "that couldn't possibly have been written by a ten year old!" Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/1/2022 5:02:00 PM Thank you, Elizabeth. I'll bet he was terrified to go to school...and, just think, you didn't even know about it! I so appreciate your sharing this with me.

Ann Foster Date: 8/1/2022 12:12:00 PM This was a great poem. I used to love back to school. So much to look forward to learning. Prayers for the children of today... Ann Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/1/2022 12:18:00 PM I think most youngsters do, Ann, but there are way too many cases where some students (who can be mean and cruel) make life miserable for other kids. It's those I wrote my poem for and I would like to think that some schools are getting a handle on this problem that exists in all schools.

Tom Cunningham Date: 8/1/2022 10:22:00 AM They say school days are the best years of your life, sadly for many that is not the case especially if they're being bullied or have some sort of disability and kids can be cruel. Tom Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/1/2022 12:10:00 PM That is so true, Tom. I was bullied as a youngster, but it taught me to always take up for the underdog and to not allow other people to bring down.

Bill Baker Date: 8/1/2022 10:00:00 AM True thoughts, Milt. I liked the theme line rotating through the verses. "Some kids are dreading going back to school." Have a great week my friend! Bill Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/1/2022 12:10:00 PM Thank you, Bill. I wrote it in quatern form because I wanted to emphasize that point. Most children really do enjoy returning to school, but for some kids it can be a nightmare.