The Nicest People

Life was not at all “nice” to them
it did not treat them fairly
and if you asked how they survived
they'd answer you with “barely”

And though it seems against the odds
and quite a contradiction
they broke away from abuse and pain
and tragedy's predictions

The nicest people I ever met
were ones who had to learn it-
for they were never given love
but told they had to “earn it”

'Though cruelly shamed, scorned and spurned
and beaten into the ground
they rose and bloomed, and grew into
the loveliest things around

Perhaps those terrible feelings they felt
gave them special empathy
for now they comfort others in pain
a beautiful sight to see

The ones who once were “helpless”
afflicted and oppressed
are now the counselors, healers, friends
who help the very best!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 9/25/2018 11:36:00 AM
What a wonderful tribute! All of the helpers out there, and there are many, are probably FAVing this one. Anyway, I am. Wow! This is so perfect!
Login to Reply
Mcferran Avatar
Rhona Mcferran
Date: 9/25/2018 1:57:00 PM
Thank you, I'm so glad you liked it! ;)
Date: 9/22/2018 10:58:00 AM
So true, Rhona. Enjoyed your poem.
Login to Reply
Mcferran Avatar
Rhona Mcferran
Date: 9/22/2018 7:21:00 PM
Thank you so much!
Date: 9/21/2018 1:31:00 PM
This is so insightful, I think going through your own pain and struggles gives you more compassion and empathy for others-
Login to Reply
Mcferran Avatar
Rhona Mcferran
Date: 9/21/2018 6:24:00 PM
Thank you! I wrote this on a prompt called 'You Didn't Have To Be So Nice' (like the song)... and when I thought about it, I've known social workers, teachers, counselors, nurses, art therapists, etc... all "helping" professions- and nearly all of them had some background of pain or tragedy in their own life... so this just made sense.
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter