Bully Alert
Bully Alert
Bully on the prowl
Quickly the warning spreads around
Pressure cooker of unpredictable rage
Simmering to boiling with nary a second to spare
In the crowded hallways, on the flights of stairs
The huddled masses part like flowing water
They look up, down, or away, as the storm passes
Random bursts of anger shock and stun
Inflicting hurt, seemingly for fun
Fear feeds this unpredictable machine
Dangerous, vulnerable, trying to cope
Humiliation is the worst abuse
Victim and oppressor share the same
Insecurity camouflaged as an armored shell
Darkness, their comforting veil
Guilt, shame, confusion…they’re all the same
Internalized unconsciously for how long
The lasting excuse for whatever goes wrong
Dominate or subjugate
Without one, would there be the other?
I write about everything and sometimes nothing at all.I'm fascinated by old things, rusty things, abandoned places, or anywhere that a secret might be unearthed.I'm passionate about history and many of my pieces are anchored in one concept of time or another.I've always been a writer, dating back to my youth, but the last decade has been a time of growth for me.I'm continually pushing the limitations of vocabulary, syntax, and descriptive phrasing.
Latest posts by R J Schwartz (see all)
- Who Dares to Catch the Falling Knife - August 23, 2024
- Thoughts Did Wander - July 13, 2024
- Tis a Journey of Souls - June 19, 2024
Very powerful message, Ralph. There have always been bullies around, they just seem to get worse each year. When I was in grade school, my best friend and I stuck together to protect each other from the school bully, Ruthie. Ruthie wore hard shoes and she loved to kick kids in the shin, leaving bad, painful bruises that lasted for days. Your poem sure sends out a clear awareness. Very well-written.
A poignant piece so applicable to the problems of today’s society. There have always been bullies but now with social media and new technologies the problem seems to get worse. So nicely penned and expressed my friend. Well done.
A good message, Ralph. Where there are victims there will always be bullies, unfortunately. It is a hard thing to stamp out, but we have to continue to try by educational programs etc that highlight how wrong it is and the damage it can cause.
I agree with Tony and John’s views on this sickening subject of bully brutality in schools. I had to deal with one of my own kids being bullied in HS and it was not a comfortable feeling having to sit both with the principle and the parents of the bullying boy. Fortunately we rectified the situation and the bullying was stopped, because if it had not, I was going to take it further. I hate to see children, teens abused in any way, to be bullied at school is not a pleasant feeling for it’s victims. Back in my day, we had protection in my schools against bullies. It was called me and a few friends taking him in the back lane and straightening him out, he soon learned not to bully or strong arm any kids again.