Stronger

Stronger - My Contribution to #1000Speak March

3/19/2015

On February 20th I was part of the global initiative '1000 Voices Speak For Compassion". You can read the short story I posted here.
Today, on March 20th, we bloggers are at it again. This time, the theme is "Building from Bullying". I'm sharing my poem "Stronger" for #1000Speak.

I’m sure you don’t remember who I am
But I haven’t forgotten a single thing
You may now know me as a fighter
But I used to be a victim of bullying

For every time you broke my glasses
I fill my desk with flower vases
For every day you made me cry
I help a stranger to get by
For all the pain you made me feel
I make another dream become real

I was the kid that hid in corners
Because you pushed and shoved me around
I was the quiet shadow in the back
Because your cruelty silenced my every sound
I was always the lonely odd one out
Because you filled me with doubt

But now I’m stronger
I don’t cower any longer
But now I’m wiser
Can be calm without a tranquilizer
But now I’m unashamedly me
Proud of myself for all to see

For every time you broke my mug
I comfort someone with a hug
For every day you pulled my hair
I teach someone how to be fair
For all the times you cut me off
I show someone the path to love

I’m sure you don’t remember me
Because I was just dirt crushed under your boots
But let me tell you I’m now free
And work as a teacher to eliminate bullying by its roots

Say NO to bullying!

29 Comments

Kimmie link

3/19/2015 06:54:55 pm

A beautiful poem. Your strength, love for self, and compassion for others shines through!

Thank you for sharing

Take care, kimmie x

Devika Fernando link

3/19/2015 08:42:40 pm

Thanks a lot! I wasn't actually writing about myself, but 1st person seemed appropriate to make the poem more powerful. :-)

donna l martin link

3/20/2015 12:53:50 am

Hi there!

I'm stopping by as many blogs as I can while getting ready for the A to Z Challenge next month. Good luck with the challenge and if you get a chance, why not stop by my blog at http://www.donnalmartin.com? I write children's books, middle grade and young adult...

Take care,

Donna L Martin

3/20/2015 01:47:07 pm

Hi Donna, thanks for stopping by. I'm also going to take part in the A to Z Challenge. I'll visit your blog.

Roshni link

3/20/2015 04:31:02 am

Wow! lovely poem and what a positive message at the end!

3/20/2015 02:03:26 pm

Thanks a lot, Roshni!

Lizzi link

3/20/2015 05:49:48 am

I was SO HAPPY when I read that last verse. The whole poem is great, and such a positive way to turn around those horrid experiences, but that last bit - BRILLIANT :D

3/20/2015 02:01:42 pm

Aw, that's high praise! Thanks a lot! :-)

Lisa @ The Meaning of Me link

3/20/2015 06:38:05 am

Turning pain and sadness into motivation to help others - awesome!

3/20/2015 02:02:19 pm

That's exactly what I wanted to show with this poem. Thanks for your comment! :-)

Sutapa Basu

3/21/2015 12:10:58 am

Hi Devika,

What an evocative poem! So much that children who are always going through bullying can take from it. If you give me the permission, I would like to include this poem in an English textbook that I am writing for children of class 8 in Indian schools. This poem would be perfect for the theme of adolescence which is one of the themes. This book would be going to schools all over India.
If you permit it a lot of children will read your poem. The book will of course, carry in the appropriate section, the credit of the poem to you. The rights will remain with you.
Do let me know your thoughts on this.

3/23/2015 07:18:07 pm

What an honour! I'm definitely interested. :-)

Gayathri Manikandan link

3/23/2015 02:02:38 pm

What a positive and encouraging poem! I felt like giving a thumbs up to this person and say 'Way to go'.

3/23/2015 07:18:52 pm

That's exactly what I wanted readers to feel. :-)

Rubina Ramesh

3/23/2015 06:33:10 pm

Strong words woven together Devika. I could feel you motivating me.
For all the pain you made me feel
I make another dream become real
Those lines will haunt me for a long time.. I hope this I can make it into a maxim i live by. Thank you :)

3/23/2015 07:27:33 pm

Thanks for your wonderful comment, Rubina. I'm glad I had this effect.

Inderpreet Kaur link

3/24/2015 11:40:03 am

Such an apt poem, you have expressed the positive thoughts of a child, the kind that make a change in this world.
Turning a negative into something good.
Well said!

3/24/2015 04:59:47 pm

Thank you, Inderpreet. :-)

Carly Compass link

3/24/2015 10:08:40 pm

After reading the poem and the comments, I thought I would just post this song as my response. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J91ti_MpdHA I hope this works.

3/27/2015 01:58:27 pm

Awesome response!

janu

3/25/2015 11:24:09 pm

That's very hard hitting and true. But there are so many kids who are victims of bullying and end up taking up their lives.

3/27/2015 01:57:56 pm

Yes, that's the sad truth.

Sundari Venkatraman link

3/27/2015 12:40:49 am

Awesome! I don't reading poetry. Never been fond of it. Without knowing it was a poem, I opened your blog link and got hooked. Superb! Turning negativity into positivity is surely the burning need of the hour. Kudos! You have written that beautifully :)

3/27/2015 01:58:59 pm

Oh, what a great compliment, thanks! :-)

Vikash sharma

4/29/2021 12:16:55 pm

Mam.. Where would i get the explanation of your poem stranger

Navya Sharna

9/15/2019 02:42:34 am

I first read this poem in my book. I am 12 years old and I got a lot of motivation from this poem and I tell you that you are a brilliant author I had seen till now . Keep it up. And once again thanks a lot for motivating me.

9/15/2019 02:45:26 am

Thank you very much for reaching out to me, Navya. I'm very glad that you like my poem and feel motivated by it. All the best for your future endeavours!

Kaushal Kumar Gupta

4/24/2020 09:03:50 am

What a beautiful poem for those children who was bullied by other children , today I am so happy because you write future for bullied children don't want to sad

patricia selvan

6/29/2021 07:52:29 pm

it was very inspiring story because i usually get bullied by my friend in the buliding

Stronger - My Contribution to #1000Speak March

Stronger

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