Alison A Smith Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

 Written 21st August, 2026 for poetry duel with Rowena Velasco (I won 21 to 4)

Write a poem about someone who faces bullying, cruelty, or rejection but refuses to let others destroy who they are. Show their strength without making the poem overly sentimental. Their spirit may be bruised, but their soul remains intact.

 

Unbroken

I fold my hands.
My posture is straight.
They throw their quiet cruelties—
Expecting me to shatter
To deflate

I let the hallway echo.
Let them wait.
Their petty insults
Left at the gate.

I guard the inner strength I cultivate.

A heavy bruise.
The jagged words they grate.
They look for fractures,
Flaws to celebrate.

But deep within
      this quiet, living state,
I drop their heavy anchors
        to their fate.

Unbroken.

No one gets 
    to touch
         my living soul.

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David Scott September 6, 2026 at 11:05 PM Love it yes lots of horrible bullys out their love the rhymin patternxx Alison A Smith September 6, 2026 at 11:44 PM Thank you David ... it takes strength to ignore bullys

Paige Hind August 29, 2026 at 12:44 PM beautiful, very resilient, dear Alison Alison A Smith August 29, 2026 at 8:21 PM Thanks Paige❤️

Kim Rodrigues August 29, 2026 at 12:39 PM I drop their heavy anchors to their fate... Alison A Smith August 29, 2026 at 8:20 PM Thanks Kim❤️

Sotto Poet August 29, 2026 at 4:42 AM Allison, this is really a powerful and inspiring poem. It conveys a strong message about inner strength and resilience in the face of adversity. The language is vivid and paints a clear picture of standing tall against negativity. Great work! Alison A Smith August 29, 2026 at 4:45 AM Thank you Sotto, I appreciate your comments.