Peering through his half-opened eyes,

he knows he must arise, for yet another day

to go through life existing as the weakened prey.

Light shining through the curtain;

yet another day uncertain of why

he continues to get up and try.

Forcing himself up, he gets dressed,

yet still holding the feeling inside

like an unwanted guest.

Walking down the street,

his feet not wanting to take another step–

except he still has hope.

Hope that things might change,

hope that today for once, he feels no pain,

hope that today their hands might refrain.

Arriving at the school door

he hesitates for just a moment,

trying to rid the memories of the years of torment.

Pleas in his head beg to turn around and leave,

before he receives yet another defeat–

another beat.

But he keeps moving ahead

straight into danger instead.

 

Keeping his head down low,

he prays for safety, but knows

it may never come.

He’s almost to his class, almost through the pass.

When suddenly he hears the voice so near,

his body stiffens with fear.

Shoved against the wall,

his books and bag fall to the floor,

he clinches and shakes as he waits for more.

He tries to block the blows,

but he knows it’s no use, he continues the abuse.

The hurtful words cut so deep in his soul,

stabbing and leaving a gaping hole.

His mind so fragile and frail from years

of teasing and taunting, leaving trails of tears.

Peers walk by without saying a word,

looking away, despite knowing his cries are heard.

The bell rings and it finally ends,

but though it stopped, the wounds will not mend.

This is his life, day in and day out,

full of anguish and full of doubt.

But despite the tears that emit,

and an urge to give up and quit,

each day he wakes, with bruises and aches,

with hope that maybe at last

he will stop being harassed. 

His hope will not be forsaken.

So with his hands together and shaking,

he kneels to hope and pray,

“Maybe it will end today.”

 

If I could change one thing

I would bring this world together as one.

Have the people of today and the children of tomorrow

put an end to the hate and sorrow.

Find the meaning of love for each other,

to stand up and protect one another.

Bullying damages the mind.

Don’t be blind to the effects

of how it projects onto the victim–

we need to change this story written;

defend those who cannot speak

or are too weak to fight.

Stop these vicious events

And prevent destructive choices.

Raise your voices and change this failed culture

and structure a world of love.

Where we rise above the abuse

and introduce compassion and humanity.

Where we take a hard stance

and give those victims a chance...

A chance to have a loving future;

And of “hope” not just being another rumor.