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Bullies

BULLIES
have big problems
understanding others
feeling so inferior themselves
they feed their ego by stealing other’s
self-esteem in damaging ways
no one respects tyrants
so, thumbs down on
BULLIES! 

THIRD PLACE WINNER
Written July 16, 2022
for “Radical Rictameter” Poetry Contest
sponsored by Caren Krutsinger
[syllables checked by HMS]

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Kim Rodrigues Date: 8/7/2022 6:58:00 AM Thumbs down…jab…jab! Congratulations ~ Kim Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/7/2022 8:26:00 AM Thanks so much, Kim. I appreciate you.

Paula Goldsmith Date: 8/5/2022 9:53:00 AM Congratulations on your win. WOW!!! What a powerful write. Guess we have always had Bullies and guess we always will. Years ago it was called, picking on someone or being picked on. It is so very wrong at any age. Kids grow into adults and still do it. Have a blessed day writing away.................... Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/5/2022 1:27:00 PM Yep, so sad that it lingers into adulthood, but it does!

Linda Alice Fowler Date: 8/5/2022 5:35:00 AM Congratulations on your win Milt! Linda Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/5/2022 7:36:00 AM Thanks so much, Linda. I appreciate it.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 8/4/2022 7:09:00 PM i see down below here that you got bullied. Sorry to hear that, Milt. Today it's gotten so weird with the cyber aspect and sexting , etc. this is a great message poem, Milt. Congrats on the win . Oh, I had a kid who picked on me relentlessly in grade school and I would try to find ways home that he could not chase me. Then we moved and the same thing happened again to me. So weird . Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/4/2022 7:47:00 PM Oh, I hated the walk home from school because a bully would lay in wait for me. I hated to go to school and thought it would never end because I was bullied throughout. I was always the smallest kid in my class, so that was part of it.

Spirit Cook Date: 7/19/2022 1:26:00 AM I am always amazed how such a poignant issue can be be described so succinctly. And with such feeling. An honest impression. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/19/2022 9:16:00 AM Thank you, Spirit Cook. I tried my best with the constraints of the form.

Ann Foster Date: 7/17/2022 10:00:00 AM Wonderfully written. The truth shines... Ann Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/17/2022 10:03:00 AM Thank you, Ann.

Jenna Logan Date: 7/17/2022 8:37:00 AM It's their inferiority complex that drives them to make others miserable. You know the syndrome... "Misery loves company." Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/17/2022 9:43:00 AM Indeed, that is true. And, they sure have a knack for making others miserable!

Tom Cunningham Date: 7/17/2022 12:13:00 AM Couldn't agree more Milton, what they lack they try and steal from others. I have no time for them. Tom Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/17/2022 8:35:00 AM Me neither, Tom. I had enough bullying when I was a child to last a lifetime!

Michael Tor Date: 7/16/2022 8:56:00 PM Nicely written my friend. Great observation Milton with some Psychology and human behavior in the mix. I totally agree. I unfortunately grew up close to the city of Rochester. I went to a Catholic school although when I learned of the Catholic faith I decided it wasn't for me. I chose the Baptist faith, to me that was what made the most sense. I also like the CalvaryChapel faith started by Chuck Smith. Getting back to the City of Rochester, my upbringing was fighting in the mean city streets. Login to Reply Michael Tor Date: 7/16/2022 9:50:00 PM PS love the Catholic people my dad and Mother were Catholic and I respect and love the Catholic people, but praying to dead Saints who can't hear my prayer was not ok, also the Virgin Mary was special she was Jesus's mother but she was mortal and many Catholics pray to her instead of Jesus, she can't hear their prayers. Like I said I love and respect the Catholic people but It wasn't for me... Michael Tor Date: 7/16/2022 9:46:00 PM I will have to check that show out, thanks for the heads up, I am sorry you were bullied... Michael Tor Date: 7/16/2022 9:15:00 PM Milton when I came home with my head split open bleeding my Uncle asked me who they were and how many. He went into his closet that if I told you the weaponry he had you would not believe. Remembered he worked for the CIA and they have special weapons civilians cant have, even Hand Grenades. He went in his closet and grabbed his 45. In 15 minutes he had all four gang members at his house at the dining room table. Some of these gang members were crying. My Uncle put the fear of God in them. I told my uncle it was ok to let them go. He said no, and he called the Police and had them all arrested. I have seen a lot of violence in my lifetime, which is very sad Milton. I think that is why I needed the Lord in my life, and I wanted to protect the vulnerable. Glad I'm living with peace now, and I try an help others and live for Christ. Sorry for the long comment... Michael Tor Date: 7/16/2022 9:06:00 PM Not by choice Milton it was during the 60's and the racial tensions were at its peak. Walking to school and walking home sometimes was met with dealing with Bullies, gangs, it robbed me of my childhood. I grew up very fast. I have seen growing up much crime and violence toward individuals including myself. You either become tough or you succumb to their beatings, sometimes extortion, shootings, stabbings. I thought it was bad in Rochester until my mom and dad sent me and my two brothers to live in Los Angelis for a Year with my uncle. The first day of school, a latino gang tried to rob me. I beat up one of the four gang members, and they cracked my head with a stone. My uncle was an expert in weapons and military combat. He worked for our government trained the freedom fighters through the CIA L Milton Hankins Date: 7/16/2022 9:01:00 PM Then you have certainly seen your share of bullies. I was bullied as a youngster, which has made me a lifelong rooter for the underdog. There's an excellent show called "BULLY' showing on Netflix right now. You might want to see it. I recommend it.