Notes About The Poem

 

Thanks, Jerry Curtis, for putting this with a tune and singer!

Listen to poem:

Broken but bold enough to bounce back

There was a time I didn’t know my worth.
I didn’t know my purpose.,
I’d felt that way since birth.

I would talk to other girls at school,
but when they formed their cliques,
they did not find me “cool.”

Not cool enough to be part of their group.
I was just their sidekick who
got left out of the loop.

Broken, I was losing my strong will,
but neither was I the type 
who could just stand still.

I looked for others like myself; boldly
I bounced back, giddy, in junior high school, 
where I formed bonds of gold.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Williams Avatar
November 28, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Thank you, Andrea, for your sincere and personal reflection. Those middle school / JHS years are the toughest and most awkward, in my book, and I would never want to go back! (HS and college would be OK, but not middle school.) Way to bounce back from petty, undeserved, and temporary snubs and find meaningful friendships! Blessings & very best, Bartholomew
Famuyiwa Avatar
September 5, 2025 at 10:13 AM
The golden part is that you bounced back to form bonds of gold.
Goff Avatar
August 24, 2025 at 10:12 PM
This is really cool Andrea, felt the lines, sung so well!
Hind Avatar
August 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Good for you. I've never been too popular anywhere either, lol....but as you say, you found your place,,,,, great :)
Mac Donald Avatar
August 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Feels as though you've become the swan, that had never been an ugly duckling! I can't imagine you being anything but your beautiful self! Hugs, Mikki
Dietrich Avatar
August 19, 2025 at 12:39 PM
thanks so much for that. I was rather plain as a child. with the short haircut I always sported. thank goodness for the maturation process and use of cosmetics!
Rolland Avatar
August 18, 2025 at 5:01 AM
life in society is not easy, specially when we are young, older we can bounce back, a touching poem dear poet
Buhagiar Avatar
August 18, 2025 at 1:33 AM
That's the spirit, Andrea. Bounce back. I know the emotion you describe, but I too bounced back. Poetry hugs from Malta.
Godwin Avatar
August 17, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Anybody with a memory of those years should relate to this light weight but intense issue at that age. Haven't written for this & don't yet know whether I'll be inspired but I suspect mine would end up most emotive. Love, CayCay
Godwin Avatar
August 18, 2025 at 1:54 PM
EXACTLY, I have 'drawn' and spilled all 'drawned' so much that my muse is set on 'empty' for the topic right now - unless an old one is acceptable. I'll check that out. CayCay
Dietrich Avatar
August 17, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Yes I think many girls had to be going through what I was. Junior high is among my very happiest of times in my life. With more ups than downs. I could not think what to write for this contest as I don't really feel broken. At least not emotionally speaking. You have lots of things to draw from, Caycay. I am surprised this theme is not inspiring you!
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