I wrote this poem on abuse at school by piers and teachers, last year and posted it last september. It is personal and I am not afraid to say so. My school days were among the worst days of my life. I do know that it does not sound as horrific as some the other poems and situations that I have tackled this last week but it is abuse and both boys and girls suffer it .
It can be even worse these days as there is now cyber bullying so the poor victim cannot get away from it unless they cut themselves off completely from the modern appliances. In fact some people are Tolled after their death and so it is their family that carry on receiving the bullying.
It is abuse it should be stopped but the schools do not seem to be able to stop it !
It’s nothing less than abuse
Following me nearly home, calling me mean names,in the playground I always stand alone they don’t pick me for their games. Opening my desk finding it’s been trashed , my text book been drawn in and my favourite doll has been smashed.
Mum tried her hardest but being the youngest of six my things did not get replaced they just got fixed. My plimsolls were the wrong colour they were black instead of white , I was hauled up on the stage, lectured in front of the school then had to stay on late that night. I just could not make it I could not win with staff and girls against me all I could do was just give in.
I met my boyfriend, and his friends did not like me because I spoke differently, I was from the posh school. They though I was rich, I was not I was just like them it would of made no difference if I’d let them know. When we were out or at a party they were pleasant to my face but if my guy was not there and behind my back the things they said were just a disgrace. They joined the line of teachers and my piers it makes me wonder now how I stood it for all those years.
I am not saying I no friends, no that would not be true. I did have friends and they were good but they were the very few. I always felt so ugly, too fat and too short and if anyone was nice to me I could not believe it. What do they want was my first thought.
Things got better when I started work I seemed to come out of my shell like a little butterfly I changed and put aside my days of living hell. They tell you, you don’t realize that school days are the best days of your life , thank God I never listened or I would of ended mine with a knife.
Thank God I grew away from all the pain but sometimes I see a face hear a voice or a name and it all floods back again. I am older now and have all that I could ask for, family and friends but sometimes my calm deserts me and confidence takes flight, fear and dark descends and I feel lost in the night. I ask the question now why children’s jibes and actions can be so mean and cruel. The worse days of my life were my years at school. I cry each time I read or hear on the news how children can hurt each other IT NOTHING LESS THAN ABUSE
Apr 13, 2012 @ 05:59:06
Reblogged this on Greatpoetrymhf’s Weblog.
Apr 13, 2012 @ 06:14:04
Thank you so much for spreading the word.
Apr 13, 2012 @ 08:45:34
The teachers and principles know about the abuse and refuse to stop it. I know because once when attending a Seventh-day Adventist church school in Arizona I confronted the principle about the bullying I was forced to suffer. He pooh pooed it so I was finely forced to do what I warned him was going to happen if the bullying didn’t stop: I beat the crap out of one of my tormentors so that I was left alone afterwards. Of course the school then shortly asked my mother to take my brothers and I out of the school which she did.
Apr 13, 2012 @ 11:49:44
and so as ever no body succeeded no lessens were learnt and the bullies just went on picking more carefully the next time! xx
Apr 13, 2012 @ 21:03:15
Yep. Which is one of the reasons I don’t care a whole lot for those who claim to be a Christian but can’t be bothered to actually live their religion.
Apr 13, 2012 @ 21:05:45
I am with you on that one also!
Apr 13, 2012 @ 12:52:54
Reblogged this on LifeRevelation.
Apr 13, 2012 @ 13:01:06
I reblogged this post on LifeRevelation, because I think it is important we strip away the pretend and reveal what is. Your experience is not an isolated case. It happens every day in every school.
Thank you for your voice…it is beautiful…keep it up we need you.
Be encouraged!
Apr 13, 2012 @ 13:13:54
Thank you for reblogging the post and thank you listening.
Apr 14, 2012 @ 06:56:50
Yeah, thanks! I had some of the same crap happen to me in school, cause I was shy, had low self-esteem, and was smarter than most of them. Also the old clothes thing, but I didn’t care about that. It was the 80’s. Anything was a style if you said it was. 😉
And then I got switched to half “emotionally handicapped” classes and half “gifted” classes. Wow, what a bad choice! Both sides hated me, and everyone else either laughed at me or hated me, whichever they felt like. So, yeah. I spent a lot of time under the bleachers, or out at the farthest end of the field, or just sitting against the wall reading and reading and reading. My first stop in the morning was in the library.
Nice words, nicely written.
Janey
KC & Co.
Apr 14, 2012 @ 10:27:56
Dear Janey I am sorry that you had such a bad experience. Don’t let it hold you back, I did I can tell you now it does you no favours. Believe in yourself even if no one else does ( all of us on wordpress do) Get out into the world and be you. Those people at school were all just threatened by your knowledge or jealous. Remember nasty people seldom prosper!! Thanks for being so open, well done! xx
Apr 16, 2012 @ 21:45:02
The first two years of my school days were like that, as well. Then, the teachers by the third year would assign me to tutor and help the slower students, who started really liking me and standing up for me. I saw a lot of girls (one in particular who I took under my wing in later grades) being degraded and tormented, as you say you were. I truly see that it has made you someone who is very gifted in reaching out to encourage and support others. I LOVE your spirit, willowdot!
Apr 16, 2012 @ 21:50:13
School can be such a nasty place but truly it really can affect people in later life. I do hope I reach out enourage people! XXX
Oct 19, 2012 @ 18:37:52
As you know from reding my post I believe it really is time to make parents accountable for their children, in my case the school only acted when I was threatening to go above their heads and to the press, what gets more scary is when you consider the number of these bullies who go on to have children and teach the the same ay to be that the problem will carry on growing until someone makes a real stand
Oct 19, 2012 @ 18:57:01
I do agree with you so much,children who get away with bullying growing to bullying adults. We do need to make a stand and stop this awful epidemic of bullying now.
Sep 16, 2013 @ 22:57:43
Thank you for speaking up, speaking out, and making a stand. Much bullying does indeed go on, in school and elsewhere.
Russ
Sep 17, 2013 @ 19:37:38
Yes Russ and I am 60 this year and still it hurts me.
Feb 18, 2014 @ 19:40:46
Willow,
This is powerful, Willow. Telling others helps you get it out and sharing it good. I will be 60 this year myself, and like you, I carry the same scars as you. I was fortunate to get to Parents Anonymous when my daughters were young so I prevented their abuse. I also worked on many of my issues in group with other members. I learned from them and healed what I could. Right now I give support to parents who still have children and that helps me heal too, believe it or not. A couple of weeks ago, a parent gave me a resource to share with others: DailyStrength.org They have all kinds of support groups and they might have something you could use to help you heal. Check in your area too, for support meetings with other dealing with abuse issues.
God bless you, Willow, you are stronger than you know. To write poetry and be the beautiful person that I see in your writings – you are awesome! I think perhaps we might be sisters under the skin. If I were there, I would give you a long, gentle hug. Be well, and do keep in touch!
Jackie
Feb 18, 2014 @ 19:51:24
Dear Jackie
I shall take your advise and check out support groups , as I said I do hope I helped my boys who are all grown and flown. All I can do it get my poetry out there and hope I can help someone anyone just make a difference!! Thank you for the hugs sister I would hug you back. xxxx