A Kid Speaks Out Against Bullying: A Lesson for Us All

Damian at twelve reflecting and Leyla posing

One of the great joys of motherhood for me is when I learn profound or simple truths from my children.

They can come in so many forms; a reminder to smell the roses by seeing the exquisite joy on the face of my daughter as a four year old as she put her hand in a fountain or the realization of the vast human potential as my teenager considers his path.

My middle son’s lessons often come through his poetry which can simply express deep concepts.   When he was twelve, he shared a poem he wrote against bullying (and gave me permission to publish).

What struck me was he captured not only the pain of the bullied but also the pain of the bully. Treating others in that way is a sign of something else amiss inside – feelings of worthlessness or unresolved hurt and anger.  It can happen in a school as well as in workplace or even in a home.

By understanding the why behind what we do and bringing it out in the open, rather than burying it, we all have the chance to take away its power and make a positive change.

Asking for helping or finding someone to listen can be a key first step to break a destructive pattern. Every day is a new opportunity to make a different decision; adults as well as children.

But to do so, we have to take the message seriously as the last line implores.

"Stop Bullying"

I don’t know why I cry

In the darkness, without light

Is it because the demons inside

Or the ones at school

I don’t get why they break the rules

Why do these people

Pick on kids weak or

Keep their identities unknown

But know their cowardice does grow

You were not this way at birth

Know that you are of a worth

You may think you aren’t

But know that you are.

You are not just par

You are a birdie, you’re an eagle

Fly high like a seagull

Swoop down, change your plans

Be good, be a man

There is nothing bad

Within in your body

But there is a poison hidden

The more bad you do, it quickens

We must rid us of this evil curse

Before it can get any worse

For those people giving hurt

Know that you are being heard

Don’t be physical to express your words

Don’t have dark secrets unshared

There are people who care

Find one and share your problems

Then you may start to wobble

And then you burst into tears

But know that person still can hear

And know that you are getting thru

No longer does your anger brood

And to those people receiving pain

Know that the bully can explain

Problems with his life

But tell someone of your strife

Don’t just sit alone, a stray

Please don’t play that silent game

All alone, no one there

But like the bullies, people care

You need help with this curse

It has been afflicted on you

But if you tell, it will be released soon

This has to do with everyone

And please don’t take this poem for fun 

By Damian Angelidis

A version of this post previously published at my blog on Working Mother.