You Are Not What They Speak of You

This is a true story poem. I witnessed this, and interacted. Bullies are in bad places. The bullied and the bully both will have psychological issues. Remember to build them both w/encouragement

You Are Not What They Speak of You

By: Lalli

 

Like a tornado destroys a village is how quickly it destroyed his spirit

 

Déjà vu with new faces

 

Asian by heritage but a collegiate student in America

With the thickness of a twig

His tall slender meat and bones type of frame

Never seemed to get a warm reception

 

His genius felt socially awkward

A confident computer nerd by stereotype

Shy wants to keep to himself type of demeanor

Don’t let this magician’s illusion fool you

He wants to reach out

His giant heart yearns for connection

But social settings breathe life into bullying nightmares

As beautiful women snap pictures to laugh about with their friends

When peers in groups distastefully strip him of his dignity with insults to his face

It’s the pain of rejection that’s become the erosion of self confidence

How can mental strength survive if it’s the target always being shot at

Not like a private affair but the embarrassment of public humiliation

Insult bombs leave shards of negativity in the walls of his mind

His soul

His heart transformed black

Empty

Alone

Life loses luster after a person is conditioned in such a manner

When degrading persecution becomes regular routine

The silver lining is lost

No place for light when the eyes always see darkness

No chance to hear truth when hateful poison is all that is spat to be heard

How can he feel alive when he’s imprisoned by fear?

Like the scared pit bull confined by its leash

Are we surprised to see snapping teeth in defense?

Yet we wonder why suicide rates have been on a rapid incline

Why the outcast lashes out violently at their fellow students

As media ratings sky rocket with no regard

 

We can change this…

 

I was a witness

As I saw his parents lifetime harvest demolished with one action

Afraid of confrontation there was no acknowledgment as he stared at the floor

I can’t imagine his life being filled with beautiful scenic views

If his gaze is always fixed downwards

 

As a bystander, we have a choice

To look away as he did afraid of confrontation

Or to become a participant

I chose to make a difference

 

My actions spoke with words of comfort and encouragement

As if to say,

“ My friend please take a moment to separate yourself from this angst

Feel the breath of oxygen invigorate life into your veins

Hear the truth of how beautiful your mind and soul is and always will be

See the light outlining beyond their cloud of hatred

Understand they are unhappy with themselves

They lash at you because they want you to join them in their misery

You are not what they speak of you

You are the light they wish to be

You are purity

Don’t let them taint your good nature

Be strong

Know that type of strength lies deep within your core

It’s there, you have it, harness its power

They are wind blowing against your un-phased steel

You are not rock that will erode with time

You are ever evolving

Maturing beyond the petty

Become conscious of the unseen

Use this moment, don’t let it use you

Remember it as an example of what you will never be

Lead as the opposite to the extreme and treat everyone you meet with kindness

Because know that once upon a time

In a different scenario and place, I was you

And today I pray my actions prove that you, can be me”

Author's Note

Please be sure to view this trailer of the documentary "Bullied to Silence" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp-9EfhYOQY

Part of this poem is within the trailer and a good majority through the movie.. it is yet to be released

Reviews

[emmajoy]

THIS should be read by everyone in the Cafe to remind the once bullied and the bully - and everyone else, that life is precious and every life has worth, wherever, whatever and however. So sad this is but - finely put.

What a heartffelt pice of writing .. it has both empathy and power, a sweetness and an anger. You write beautifully and what you say follows the documentary extremely well - more than, in fact ..

'Bullying is a sin that's perpetuated by ignorance. '

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Lalli,

Another powerful piece. And I really strongly associate with this person, the subject of your words, because I could be classified in this manner. I was always an outsider even though I excelled in intellectual studies and athletic abilities. I remember a touch football game I was causally invited to. Another outsider was also there. Well we were on the same team, the team that was for the losers. Guess what? We couldn't be touched. We easily scored every time the ball was in our possession, usually in one or two plays, and prevented them from scoring every time it was in theirs. It was a complete runaway, and I will always remember the look on their faces. It was pure amazement. How could this be? There was nothing they could do to stop us. They were simply outclassed and not even in our league.

Now you know I am focused on an intellectual life. I always have been and always will be. That's just me. Plain and simple. And one always gets bullies that belittle you. You have intellectual bullies as well. Bullies that will sabotage your papers, your funding proposals, those that belittle you. So what? The only protection you have against these obstacles is to know and trust the merit of your own worth. Now I know we are all not made equally. Some have more force of spirit and push. But it is only through force of spirit and push that one can survive. If you are confident in your self-worth, and it seems this person should be, then you have to simply close out the opinions of others. You have to say, I know what I know and whatever you say, what I know is still right. I'm pushing forward. You may prevail and prevent my forward progress, but that doesn't matter, because I still know what I know. The truth is the truth. And if you don't see it, it's still the truth. You can block me, but it's your loss. I'll try continually to go around you, but if I can't, it doesn't change anything. I still know what I know. The truth is the truth.

This can be unsatisfying. I know. I've experienced this so many times. Keep pushing. There will usually be an opening to go forward. Then push hard. This is life. Get a thick skin. This happens to everyone that tries to excel.

All my best wishes. Go get'em, tiger. Eat them alive!

Rick