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Meghan Hutchings Poem
Painful Perspectives
Bullying in America
"About 77% of students have admitted to being the victim of of one type of bullying or another."
--www.bullyingstatistics.org
My stomach tightens once again
By now I know the drill
It doesn't matter what I do
Move on, scream out, stand still
My heartbeat throbbing louder now
As heavy footsteps near
My mouth, dry as a cotton ball
My shoulders hunch in fear
Suddenly, I feel the sting
My cheek turns cherry red
The smack has almost knocked me down
The pain shoots through my head
Now words so cruel they pierce my heart
I try to block the sound
My efforts useless yet again
Scars stain my soul deep down
I touch my flesh to feel it swell
My light begins to die
My head held low, I walk away
Too numb by now to cry...
"Approximately 30% of young people admit to bullying others."
---www.americanspcc.org
For me, each morning starts the same
No feelings, just routine
Commands and orders barked my way
"Get up! Get dressed! Get clean!"
I step into the blinding sun
Yet pause before I go
Just once to hear, "I love you dear."
The door slams; I should know
The sadness that I used to feel
Has slowly turned to rage
So off to school I stomp ahead
My heart locked in a cage
Not long after I arrive
I choose my timid deer
My heavy footsteps lead the way
Toward the scent of fear
My hand hits flesh; I feel relieved
To share my hidden pain
I utter words so cruel and vile
Too numb to feel ashamed...
"It is reported that 70.6% of young people say they have seen bullying in schools."
---www.americanspcc.org
Standing near my closest friend
I feel the tension rise
By now, I know what to expect
Not once am I surprised
My fingers tremble slightly still
As I await the scene
I fight the stinging in my eyes
Why is this world so mean?
I watch my best friend cower now
The same thing every day
I cringe for what's about to come
As predator seeks prey
My inner struggle swallows me
I long to take a stand
I fear the wrath if I intrude
Escape, I haven't planned
So helplessly I witness pain
Inflicted on my friend
I wish I had the courage to
Make the bullying end...
Copyright © Meghan Hutchings | Year Posted 2015
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Meghan Hutchings Poem
Royal Matriarch
Beloved, cherished, idolized
Who could this person be?
A pop star or the president?
A hot celebrity?
Not even close, ten cuts above
A modest hero reigns
A selfless woman, strong and bold
A beauty with the brains
This person is no other than
The royal matriarch
The solid rock beneath our feet
Our night light in the dark
A shoulder for our heavy hearts
An ear to catch our plight
The silver lining through it all
Our wings when we take flight
Happy Mother’s Day to you
My mother, my dear friend
If words relayed my gratitude
My book would never end…
1st place!
Contest: "A Mother's Love, Tributes of Love for Mother's Day" Poetry Contest
Sponsor: BJ Legros Kelley
Date: 04-26-2022
Copyright © Meghan Hutchings | Year Posted 2022
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Meghan Hutchings Poem
Kindness is…
Kindness is the harmony of birds’ songs in the breeze
It’s the way the moon so hauntingly reflects with calming ease
It’s heaven’s chorus ‘round the world while folks pray on their knees
Umbrella sharing, homeless shelters, shade from tall oak trees
Kindness is a child handing you a wild daffodil
A patient, helping hand when you have caused a major spill
Acts of empathy, warm soup, and comfort when you’re ill
Advice no matter length nor wear to help you find your will
Kindness is sharing smiles with random strangers you meet
It’s noticing the crowded bus and giving up your seat
Holding wide the heavy door until the last entry
Making someone’s day a win instead of a defeat
Kindness is the text I cherish from my precious son
A compliment, a subtle nod, a hug from a loved one
Kindness, tangible or not, an idea never done
Be selfless, and each day create your kindest tale yet spun…
1st Place!
Submitting into Joy, Hope, and Kindness Poetry Contest
Sponsored By: Angela Tune
Written on: February 5, 2022
Copyright © Meghan Hutchings | Year Posted 2022
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Meghan Hutchings Poem
Justice
Justice
Colorblind love
Equality for all
Embrace mankind by character.
Treat others as you want to be treated.
Stand up for the rights of all men.
Speak up against bias.
Rise together!
Justice
Submitting into Give me a Rictameter! Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: M. L. Kiser
Date: 02/14/2022
Copyright © Meghan Hutchings | Year Posted 2022
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Meghan Hutchings Poem
*This is another somewhat dark poem. I share my truth on this site because it helps me cope to write it out in poetry. I’ll shift to lighter things after this. This is my truth currently as I am working through bouts of P.T.S.D. God bless you.
Suffer the Night
By: Meghan C. Hutchings
One teardrop falls heavily, my optic release
A nightly reminder of my loss of peace…
I write down these words to offer me hope
Support from kind hearts and freedom to cope…
‘Twas not long ago, I shadowed a queen
Décor adorned walls, a sight to be seen…
A dream place to rent, a job from my room
A view from the top, no omens of doom…
Gradually, oxygen bled out and I cried
My asthma flared badly, gasping…I tried…
Cloudy, my home filled with second-hand pot
The origin unknown, I yelled out a lot…
I slept on my balcony, a queen nevermore
I begged the office, police, no one cared to explore…
To tell on another, to the weak is a crime
No names did I give; I’d still serve my time…
Banging on walls, picking my door lock, I heard
Frozen in terror, more threats came in words…
Chunks thrown at my windows, three stories high
Grateful my screen saved a hit in the eye…
I knew at that point I had to get out
I shuddered at nothing; the wind made me shout…
Noises and banging, voices all night
Smoke and my doorknob heightened my fright…
After I moved, I thought I’d find peace
Honestly, though, my fears didn’t cease…
To this very date, when darkness paints light
I tremble, hear voices, then suffer the night…
Copyright © Meghan Hutchings | Year Posted 2022
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Meghan Hutchings Poem
Spring is in the Air
Rebirth parallels springtime breeze
Creatures slowly emerge from the freeze
New seedlings take root
Birds mimic the flute
And the world seems a bit more at ease…
Submitting: “Spring in Air Poetry Contest”
Sponsor: Mohan Chutani
Date: 02/22/2022
Copyright © Meghan Hutchings | Year Posted 2022
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Meghan Hutchings Poem
“A Cross To Bear”
Like salt in wounds, the pain ignites
Infected to the nerve,
Intrusive sunlight, blinding eyes
A hell I don’t deserve.
Useless band-aids morph as pills
False hope to cure real pain
Yet thoughts can be close to immune
To changing patterns, flying sane.
Invisible, this illness grows
The mental torture reigns
The harder that I fight this beast
The tighter squeeze the chains.
These ailments burrow deep within
Depression and much more
No choice of mine, they’re part of me
A lifetime mental war.
However, though, I suffer much
I know life isn’t fair
For each and every one of us
We have a cross to bear.
Written on December 1, 2021
“A Cross To Bear”
Sponsor: Edward Ibeh
Copyright © Meghan Hutchings | Year Posted 2021
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Meghan Hutchings Poem
,A Knock at the Door,
,*This is a dark poem, but it is a true story about how I was raped by a former friend on my birthday.,
As dusk sweeps away the afternoon sun
The skies will grow gradually dark
Perhaps some glittery stars strewn about
And the moonlight’s reliable spark
For most, this cycle of day and night seems
Too mundane to evoke much alarm
However, a few who have suffered the night
Fear darkness sides nicely with harm
When trauma comes knocking, no matter how wise
A victim may open the door
For caution and innocence cannot protect
Ill-intent from a friend known before
The strength of his arms as he pushes you down
Leaving bruises on your pale, white skin
Tearing your bottoms just wide enough
To bully room for an unwelcome in
“No” floats meaningless, as do your cries
As he enters you roughly instead
Pleas fall on deaf ears as he grunts and moans
You weep and imagine you’re dead
When he’s done, you are useless, he stands
You pray now he’ll just go away
As he walks out into the darkness
One last sting when he moans, “Happy birthday.”
--Meghan C. Hutchings
Copyright © Meghan Hutchings | Year Posted 2022
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Meghan Hutchings Poem
More Than A Glance
How is my worth defined,
The wealthy facade I designed?
The money and clothes,
The people I know,
Why not for the strength of my mind?
Do you know where I reside?
Places criminals won't even hide,
Wrong side of the tracks
Where most turn their backs
No safer when you go inside...
Do you know how I get by?
Doing things that make me wanna cry
Will I be okay
If you show me the way?
Since you believe I can change, I will try...
One teacher, one student, one chance
Your belief set my soul free to dance!
I see knowledge galore
The whole world to explore,
Because to you, I was worth more than a GLANCE...
Submitting to A Strand 1072 Poetry Contest on 02/12/2022
Copyright © Meghan Hutchings | Year Posted 2020
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Meghan Hutchings Poem
A Conversation With Little Red Riding Hood
[I’ve always loved the fairy tale, “Little Red Riding Hood”, and I’ve used it to teach many lessons, especially on perspective and morals in my classroom, so this contest inspired me to try my hand at turning the fairy tale into a poem and use dialogue. One character is Little Red Riding Hood and the other is me, the omniscient one, who can see all perspectives in the story. This was a fun challenge, especially turning it into all dialogue, except for who was speaking, but I am delighted with the outcome. I also gave the ending a little twist to add humor. Thank you for the opportunity!]
“Hey there, Little Red Riding Hood,
what a pleasure to meet you out in these woods.”
“Hi,” replied Little Red, her voice so sweet,
“I, too, am so glad we could finally meet.”
“I agree, and I wondered if I may ask
you a few questions if you’re up for the task.”
“Why sure I am,” Little Red replied,
“Just let me fix my smooth red dress, then we’ll go inside.”
“This is Grandmother’s house!” I exclaimed with fear,
“and it seems Granny’s shaving days are of yesteryear.”
“It’s lovely,” noted Red, walking straight to Gran’s bed.
“Just let me give Granny these muffins, rolls, and bread.”
“No problem,” I sputtered, as Little Red approached
“Just drop the food and hurry up,” I pleaded and I coached.
“Here Granny, I brought food, but afterwards, you shave,
and Gran, clip your fingernails; Grampa’s rollin’ in his grave!”
“Ok, so Little Red, when you left your home this morn,
did your mother give directions, and maybe even warn
you to stay on the pathway, not stray into the woods
and never talk to strangers, share info, names, or goods?”
“Oh yes, she surely did. I heard every word.
I promised Mother I’d be safe until she felt assured.”
“But, Little Red,” I started slowly, “once you started off,
you saw some pretty flowers and heard a stranger cough.”
“Did you not stray off the path to see the flowers near,
and when you picked a flower, a hairy thing appeared?”
“Well yes,” Red stammered, beginning to confess
“I spoke to a stranger. My manners weren’t their best!”
“Don’t forget to shave, but love ya’,” Little red uttered,
“I think we better get out fast be..be..” Red stuttered.
“I think you’ve learned your lesson,” I tried to comfort Red.
“Now let’s start dashing fast ‘fore Gran flees the bed!”
“Thanks Red, for bursting out the door and sprinting through the woods,
but funny thing, we passed a wolf with a basket full of goods.”
“Um…Red…,” I started, out of breath, “a wolf passed, did you see?”
“Oh yes,” replied Red calmly. “That’s Granny’s guest for tea.”
2nd Place
Submitting: “Conversation With a Fictional Character Poetry Contest”
Sponsor: Natasha Scragg
Date: 02/21/2022
Copyright © Meghan Hutchings | Year Posted 2022
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