Bully-Proof
A short story about bullying — and recovering
This story/poem was inspired by Sara Larca’s I was bullied — (so I wrote a book). Thank you so much for sharing your personal story, and for your constant support and inspiration, Sara!
When you grow up an outsider, your insides will always be upside down. Dodging darts at home and classroom, a piñata at a kid’s birthday party.
Unplugged the outside world for survival, the inside world will always be. If you’re lucky, the shouts will turn into murmurs. With love, drugs, and therapy, you’ll rehabilitate yourself like Humpty Dumpty.
The names they called you will live on your tongue until you’re bones, until you finally swallow that jawbreaker they lodged deep into your throat.
What you learned on TV was contrary, that you don’t deserve to exist here either. Things undeserving will dictate your identity, milky white skin, and hair that falls perfectly.
Abercrombie & Fitch, Ken, and Barbie.
The size of your nose and color of skin are more important than the size of your heart and brain. Trying to Fit in without knowing what you’re fitting into is a losing game.
A tall triangle in a world of small squares.
Mistaking yourself for the bully you once had, you recite their words on repeat. You neglect to eat and breathe, fill your head with empty calories.
What they don’t tell you back then is that life is yet to begin. Spoiler alert: the bully peaks in high school and lives an unexamined life. You will go on to savor moments in a city they’ll never dream. Bully-proof and carefree as a summer breeze.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank some of the people here that have been both a huge inspiration and support! I appreciate, you making this community such a safe, welcoming, and creative place. Thank you Denise Larkin Margie Willis M.T. Pariti LM Shereen Bingham Yana Bostongirl Victoria Ponte Carolyn Hastings Jenine Bsharah Baines William J Spirdione.
I would also like to thank Denise Larkin for bringing together the poetry community for The Lark Poetry Competition. It was such a huge honor to be chosen as a runner-up among such great talents.
