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1977
Parkland Junior High
You were older and tougher
and to this day I don't have a clue why
you targeted me
You said it was because I had threatened
your friend's little sister
which was untrue and ridiculous
Maybe you believed it
or believed it enough
to justify
The taunts I could deal with
but the threats brought me low
with shame and fear
Usually vague
"I'm gonna get you"
but sometimes mind racingly specific
"I'm gonna tear your earrings outta your earlobes"
Of course, I stopped wearing earrings
Changed my route from school
Even faked illness to stay home
and away from you
Friends were no help
They were scared too
even the boys
No adults knew
I hated you but
I hated myself more
for being afraid of you
for retreating
for writing poems
instead of standing up to you
Fast forward 20-odd years
another middle school
Bus ride
The cool clique of girls throwing paper
in my daughter's hair
Although I've taught her to use her words
she turns around
punches one of them
hard
I smile with pride.
submitted for Poetry Jam, Bully
