To My Super Souper Friends

Alot of you folks have been able to say what you feel this holyday season with exquisite 
wording and beautiful sentiments. I can't do that. Maybe if I tell you a story about a 
little kid who was raised and worked on a farm. A farm boy in a class of city kids is ridiculed 
for some reason and beat up alot cause that proves to city kids that they're strong when 
they beat up a farmer kid. So I did the best I could with my sense of humor, got beat up 
when challenged and avoided other confrontations by learning to run real fast! When they 
picked teams for basketball, I was odd kid out. Too little. I found it hard to fit in anywhere.
    One fine day our 7th grade teacher gave us a homework assignment to write a poem 
which we would read aloud in class the next day.The stipulation was that, on your honor, you 
could have no help whatsoever. A solo project.
   After chores that night, I did as she said and was surprised at how easy it was. The 
next day, when it was my turn, I timidly read aloud to the class the first poem I ever wrote.  
When I finished, I awaited the verdict . All was quiet. The teacher told me to sit down. I did. 
She then admonished me for cheating on my assignment and getting help. Of course I did 
not. I still vividly remember how it felt to have all my peers watching me as our teacher 
dismissed me for a cheater with a look of disdain on her face. I was speechless, devastated 
and embarrassed by what others thought.
   The experience pushed me deeper into myself than I had ever been.. It's amazing to me 
how these feelings are resurfacing en force as I write about it. I've written poetry on and off 
since then but never taken it seriously. It was just some force that reared itself once in a 
while until it was subdued by writing one.
    Now, in the autumn of my life, something very strange and wonderful is happening. I 
have been introduced to you, my poetry soup friends. The injustice done to my poetic soul is 
every day being identified by myself, rectified and healed by your loving support. I'm no 
longer throwing my poems away. You have given me in two months what has been missing 
since the 7th grade. You have given me courage, confidence, encouragement and the 
companionship to take up where I was left off. Because of all of you, I can grow again. I was 
at a stalemate in alot of things and then this. Coincidence? More like Christ incidence. Get it? 
YOU are my Christmas gift from Love come down! This is my card to you.  
 GOD BLESS YOU ALL.- ROBERT
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

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Brown Avatar
January 26, 2010 at 9:47 AM
God truly has blessed you Robert. What you went through all those years ago was a trial I believe. You became better for it. Your life could have turned out so bad from your experiences but he guided you through it. Amazing writing Robert. I will be back again another day because I think your poetry deserves written comments. Love and blessings to you always, Carol
Kapoor Avatar
January 6, 2010 at 11:23 AM
What a beautiful write. It is a joy reading your story poem and the lesson we learn from it. Thank you for your valuable comments on my poem In praise of your Beauty. Sorry I was away for about 15 days and could see it today only. Hope you would like my new poems Boatman's Song and Flow River flow. Best wishes and love Ravindra
Skyles-Theoklapoet Avatar
December 27, 2009 at 1:34 PM
I'm 51 and been writing since I was a kid but this is the most heartfelt read and I know how you felt.Poetry is my saving grace I'm cripple but able to use one finger typing and these kinda read give us all support.Thanks so much for the read and your kind comment.Teresa
Meade Stephenson Avatar
December 25, 2009 at 6:15 AM
You are a most talented poet who writes from within. By your having to go through all of that it has made you a better person for having survived the suffering. God has plans for all of us and we are the voices for others who do not know how to write. Robert YOU are a Christmas gift to us all here by sharing your life through your words! So, thank you! May you and yours have a very Blessed Merry Christmas today! God Bless!~Mary
Meade Stephenson Avatar
December 25, 2009 at 6:07 AM
Robert this is a heartfelt piece you have penned. One that I too can relate with. I was picked on for being the fat ugly poor girl going to a well to do Catholic school on scholarship. 1st-7th grade I was tormented daily at school and then went home to a very dysfunctional abusive home life with an alcoholic father. Reading & writing became my escape from life. Was always told I was not good at anything so I kept my writings to myself for years. Here we can be ourselves and fly free.
Pickett Avatar
December 23, 2009 at 7:44 AM
Robert my friend, In your second sentence you said and I quote " I can't do that " Well my friend ...YOU DID! I am fighting back tears while I write this... Some day on the Soup I will tell my story as well. It does not have to do with poetry, however much deeper.. I wish I could say I helped, But I have been here too short a time for that. However I have in this short time considered you as friend.. And my friend you are a wonderful POET ! Merry Christmas....God Bless...Taz
Culverhouse Avatar
December 22, 2009 at 6:39 PM
terrific story, sad, what we go through makes us stronger- you sure are a stronger writer! thanks for all your encouragement and comments!
La France Avatar
December 22, 2009 at 6:26 PM
Robert, let me brush a tear away. What an honest and heart breaking story ... I am so happy you have found your poetry voice and what a voice.. and I am so happy, people like you are on the soup... I too have know rejection in my poetry.... afraid to show anyone.. maybe they will laugh... but that is all changed for me... and thanks for your comment on my poem, every once in awhile
Sweetheart Avatar
December 22, 2009 at 5:35 PM
What a story Robert .. but it has made u the man u are today and God has His reasons for putting u through that terrible ordeal to have u emerge as a brilliant poet to share with all of us...indeed Christ has led u to this place at this time to becomee an inspiration to all of us who read your poetry... I also started writing at a young age and just remember ..we are not different because we don't "fit in" ..we are unique .. and we "fit into" Christ's plan for us... blessings... luf..
Bono Avatar
December 22, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Wow,I to was that kid growing up.I grow up on a six acre farm and I am still tomboy, country girl all the way.This really brought back memories.I don't know where my poet mind came from.It just did about 5 years ago. I just got my first poem in a book a couple weeks ago.How great is that.Thanx for sharing this heart felt card with all of us........... HAPPY HOLIDAYS. YOUR SOUP FRIEND COLLEEN
Richards Avatar
December 22, 2009 at 8:21 AM
What an honest, and open hearted story, Robert! Many of us have found a place here, among our Poetry Soup mates, to reveal our souls, to open doors to the hidden places within, .... things that our outside world might not understand or appreciate. I have found here on the soup....that people DO seem to understand those deeper parts of me...and so much of it is healing and comforting. I'm so glad you have found that here as well. Merry Christmas....Love, Carrie
Haick Avatar
December 22, 2009 at 7:51 AM
I thank you also Robert for sharing this story because there are many "Odd" kids who just like you, have this remarkable gift. I believe that that teacher and most of adults who tend to disbelieve children so readily do a disservice to children. Children are not born liars, they learn it. Anyway, I am glad that your truth-which can not be buried- has blossomed once more-this time it'll never die. Peace and love, Audrey P.S. Thank you so much for your kind comments. I appreciate them!
Clark Avatar
December 22, 2009 at 6:39 AM
Beautiful Sentiment Robert.....God Bless You and your Heart! You are a true gift! Love Jeralynn
Delacroix Avatar
December 21, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Thank you so much, Robert, for writing this. I can so relate to you. I have enjoyed reading all your poetry. You had in you all along. A very nice write and Christmas card. God bless you and yours this Christmas and through the whole new year 2010! Love, Caroline Cécile.
Gorelick Avatar
December 21, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Lovely, sad poem that brings tears to this poet. They say you write what you know..your experiences have made you the terrific poet you ar.e Well done. BG
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