Jerry Brotherton Poet Haibun

Sticks and Stones

“The heart may believe in itself, but the ears will believe what others say.”
Back in the day (we won’t even discuss how long ago that was) the neighborhood bully was usually that kid that would punch me in the stomach and take my lunch money. I knew exactly who it was, and I had choices. I could run away and hide every time I saw him coming or stand toe to toe with him. Nowadays it’s a different story. Because social media gives people a mask to hide behind. We may not even know who the bully is. A bully can come in all shapes and sizes just like bullying comes in many different forms. With so many posts filled with hate and negativity, do we ever really give much thought to who it is that’s reading our words. Words that can be sharper than any knife when used in anger or hatred. So, I hope that each of us will take a hard look at what it is that we are sharing and what lessons we are teaching our children. There is an old saying that we learned as kindergarteners, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” As a poet, I try to find the right combination of words that will complement the story I am trying to tell. I think that it's time we teach our children a different saying.

Sticks and stones break bones,
ugly words can destroy me,
kindness never hurts.

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Ilene Bauer December 9, 2023 at 1:04 PM i like your updated version, jerry! it's surprising that the version we grew up with became something we all accepted and repeated, because words always had the power to hurt, sometimes more than broken bones... Jerry Brotherton December 11, 2023 at 4:13 AM Thanks, Irene. It is easy to forget that even the simplest words that are said playfully can result in hurt. I appreciate your kind comment, my friend.

Silent One December 9, 2023 at 10:54 AM Important message at the end, its a difficult thing with bullies, as people say those who bully normally have a reason behind it, however it still hurts and hurts more when our own children suffer from it.. Great haibun. Jerry Brotherton December 11, 2023 at 4:14 AM Thank you, Silent One.

Daisy Meadows December 9, 2023 at 10:37 AM Well said and so true! Well written! Jerry Brotherton December 11, 2023 at 4:21 AM Thank you, Jeanette. I appreciate the nice comment. Have a wonderful day, my friend.

Deb M December 9, 2023 at 10:37 AM I absolutely love this Jerry and changing it to your “sticks and stones” version is so perfect! All should read this and the ones who need too take heed…but its not that simple! One step at a time eh! Good one my friend!! Debx Jerry Brotherton December 11, 2023 at 4:24 AM Thanks, Deb. I know that when a poet's passions flare, it is hard to control the words sometimes. Have a great day my friend.

Darlene De Beaulieu December 9, 2023 at 10:34 AM Hello Jerry Brotherton, Yes the wrong words hurt. bullies are also in the family. A father can bully their child. so can a mother bully their child. It is not just bullies in a school yard. Enjoy your day my friend. /Darlene/ Darlene De Beaulieu December 11, 2023 at 10:36 AM Hello Jerry, I am having a beautiful day thank you. You know thes people are bullies because they have been bullied by someone else. Enjoy your day my friend. /Darlene/ Jerry Brotherton December 11, 2023 at 4:27 AM So true, my friend. Bullying can be found anywhere. I hope you have a beautiful day, Darlene.