What initially was a casual thought: “Hey, why don’t I just post these poems to the net in case anyone might find them useful.” has been a real revelation to me. A sad one. If over fifty thousand times someone has searched this site, it is that there is a desperate need to address this issue. I have not posted much on this blog but perhaps i should revisit it…you too!
andrea
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Here’s one of mine!
What if?
What if your best friend was purple?
Had a nose growing out of her ear?
Would she still be side-splittingly funny?
Would she still be especially dear?
What if your mom had one eyelash?
Discovered she liked to eat bugs?
Would she still make the best cookies?
Would she still give the world’s greatest hugs?
What if your teacher was taller?
As tall as the tallest oak tree?
Would she still read really great stories?
Would he still know 600 x 3?
What if you were suddenly stripey?
Grew a 5-inch toe on the right?
Would your pop still take you for ice cream?
Would your mom still kiss you goodnight?
What if you were the one who was different?
Would you want to be left all alone?
Would you want nobody to like you?
What if nowhere felt like home?
Look around now and answer these questions:
Who feels that they don’t belong?
Can you be the one who is kinder?
Can you be the one who is strong?
Can you open the door to your circle?
Can you proudly invite others in?
Can you be the one who’s the nicest?
Can you make sure that bullies don’t win?
What if everyone included everyone?
Threw their fears and their doubts to one side?
Our school would feel like a family
With its arms always held open wide.
I love your poem and the fact that you chose to contribute it to my blog. Thank you.
This is a favorite theme for me and a crucial one. You address it with empathy and an accessible message.
I will include your poem in my response section, assuming that you wanted that. If not, contact me and I will pull it. Doesn’t it make more sense to share?
andrea
My name is Laura and I am 13yrs old. I am currently doing my Grade 5 speech exam and want to study a selection of your poems. My topic is “Children and War” and the passages from books I have chosen, cover the topic of the effects of wars throughout the world on children. My poem selection looks at children facing their own wars and battles so I would like to use your work for this section. I also need to write a bit about the authors of each section so would it be possible to get some details – where were you born, age, why you write about bullying etc? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Hello Laura,
You are 13? Of course you have already witnessed a lot of the battles children are forced to face. That makes me very sad.
Like so many other children, I too was bullied relentlessly. It has had a formative effect on my life, sometimes good, often painful. At some point, I seemed to feel the need to express what I had experienced. By then, I had children of my own and was concerned about the situations I witnessed in their environment…not necessarily targeting them but inflicting pain on other kids. I felt I had something to contribute.
I hope it has helped someone. That was my initial aim…to help one child would make any effort worthwhile.
Good luck,
andrea