Mike Gentile | + Follow Poet |
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Just For Being Me

Was not a rough and tumble kid
A sissy boy they said
As I recall, I even took 
                        a Teddy Bear to bed

With countless tears of wondering
What is it that they see?
Why am I so hated
                           just for being me?

I preferred some crayons
or games on city streets
and chores to earn some pennies
                    to buy a bag of sweets 

Dismissed by words of parents
“Kids can be so cruel”
I still felt the sting of constant 
               torment all through school

But I survived and yes, I even
learned to love myself
I had my mom, a friend or two
                my books up on the shelf
 
I worry for the ones, perhaps 
         not strong enough to see
to know the worth of being loved
                          “just for being me”

Copyright © Mike Gentile | Year Posted 2021

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Gershon Wolf Date: 10/15/2021 11:21:00 AM Amen, Brother Mike. Heartbreaking and heartwarming truth at the same time here. Quite 'relatable, as they use the word these days. Thanks, gw Login to Reply Mike Gentile Date: 10/15/2021 11:59:00 AM Thanks Gershon!!

L Milton Hankins Date: 10/14/2021 1:28:00 PM Mike, I could have written this poem!!! You described my growing up years to a tee. "I...felt the sting of constant torment all through school." I thought I would NEVER get through school! Each day was torment. The only way I could shine was when grade cards came out, and I was always on the top, while they were steadily floundering. Of course, that made it worse. Wow! Thanks for writing this. Login to Reply Mike Gentile Date: 10/14/2021 1:35:00 PM Thanks Milton, yes I was straight A”s and that made it worse!!

Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 10/14/2021 11:54:00 AM Hello Mike Gentile, I think kids bully kids because their parents or one parent was bullied themselves. I w bullied by my father. He always picked on me. As i got older I got stronger and spoke out to him. then he did not bother me any more. I had a rough life with him. Now i am okay. Happy Thursday xxxx-oooo. Login to Reply Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 10/15/2021 11:50:00 AM Hello Mike,Yes I am okay now. All that is behind me now. How are you doing now? Have you put your hurtful past behind you? Your better off when you do. xxxxooo Mike Gentile Date: 10/14/2021 1:36:00 PM Glad you are ok now Darlene, thanks xxoo

Vijay Pandit Date: 10/14/2021 8:10:00 AM Your poem speaks of many kids my friend. Picked on for being different hurts the ego of a child. Kudos Mike for highlighting their plight. Login to Reply Mike Gentile Date: 10/14/2021 1:36:00 PM Yes it surely does and it stays with you for life! Thanks Vijay!!