Hard LEarned Lessons

People do not understand
The power of bullying
Can have on a person’s life
In shaping a person’s personality
From being outgoing
To a more overcautious one.

Which I know
From my own experience
As a child growing up
In the 1970s and 80s
Where this type of behaviour
Was dismissed by many adults
As kids being kids.

Sadly
My greatest mistake
Was not being more active
In my own self-defence
Choosing silence
As my passive resistance
To the bullies of my life.

The following words
You are about to read
Were learnt the hard way
So please do not dismiss
As dated words of advice.

You need to become vocal
In your self-defence
Even if this means
You are a lone voice
Crying in the wilderness
For no one else
Will stand up for you.

Build yourself
A strong cycle of support
Whom you can turn to
During times of need
When dealing with bullies
For keeping silent
Is the most toxic thing
You can do
To yourself.

How I wished
I had followed this advise
During my years
In grade 5 to 8
Placing the bullies
Upon the defensive
Instead of the offensive.

Author's Note

From kindergarten, until the end of grade 10, when I transferred to another high school, I endure bullying in one form or another. Please help to end this disease from all school systems.