Poem written by: Tobias Clark
Once upon a time there was a little girl, this little girl was raised by the king of the land.
Right on the ocean, to spend time in the sand.
She had all the toys a child could want, gold bars that sat in an endless pile.
Love from her parents that would last a long, long while.
One day she went out to play with the villager kids, wanting to find a new friend.
See there was a little hole of loneliness she was trying to mend.
The king was always busy making peace between lands.
And the queen spent her time holding the less fortunate hands.
She knew her parents spent their time in the best way.
But sometimes she wanted their attention, just for a day.
All the gold in the world meant nothing, she wanted more.
That couldn’t heal what needed healing the most, her core.
So, she went outside, with a little red dress on
And found the children, before they were gone.
As she was walking up to the children at play. A little man popped up on her shoulder just sitting.
Before she could say a word, the man began to speak.
“Young child, you are weak.”
No said the girl, I am strong, I can take on anything that I may face
I can keep up no matter the pace.
The man laughed. “You poor girl, you don’t know.
They will beat you down, with a rumble that starts low.
It will grow louder as time goes on.
Until other sounds are gone.
They will notice your deepest vulnerabilities and flaws.
They will turn and use them against you without cause.”
“No says the girl, this I can do.
They will like me, and the other villagers will too.”
In that moment the man disappeared,
The young girl’s confidence was back, but there were new things she feared
Being an outcast, in her own village, in her home
Being lost forever, being alone.
In just that thought a child ran up, holding out a bat.
“You want to play?” he asked, and gave her shoulder a pat.
“Yes” said the girl a smile on her face,
Together they ran to the group of kids, competing in a friendly race.
But then again popped up the man on her shoulder, “if you don’t catch the ball, they will hate you.”
“No” said the girl, “they aren’t like that, its not what they do.”
“Shoo” she said “shoo, shoo.”
But the man stayed the entire time the kids played.
The longer she was there the louder he became.
“You will never be the same.”
It was the girls turn to bat, she stood at the base, with the bat in the air.
Why am I here she thought, they don’t care.
She stood frozen, unable to speak.
In this moment she really was weak.
“What’s wrong?” another child asks, “Yeah.” said another, “You good?”
They all stared at where she stood.
She broke, and honesty shined through.
It was risky and she knew.
“No, I’m not okay, there’s a little man on my shoulder speaking hate.”
“Hold on” said a kid, “wait, wait, wait.”
I have a little man too! There's no need to fear.
“Me too” says another boy, “I’ve had mine for like a year.”
She stood there shocked, to know others had the same.
I am not different; I am not lame.
“How” she asked “Do you make the man go away”
“Oh that you can do, every single day.”
“Listen said the kid, that man on your shoulder is named bully. He’s mean and rude
Honestly not a very nice dude
But you can fight him, don’t listen to what he has to say.”
“Yeah!” said a girl, “you can’t listen, don’t let him make you think that way
He spits lie after lie, tries to take your confidence and make you say goodbye.”
“So, I should fight the bully, that’s the advice you give.
I will, and I shall, so in peace I can live.”
“They lie, they’re not your friends. You’re all alone.”
“Enough!” screamed the girl, “I have friends and I have a home.
Your words do not ring true.
I do not have to listen to the likes of you.””
So, she fought the bully and made new friends, going home with a heart healed.
Allowing herself to sit in the feelings, letting a positive fate be sealed.
I am enough and I am strong, nothing can get me down.
I will spread this world all through town.
Fight your bully, don’t let it win.
Doing this will allow true change to begin.
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