Cheryl is a poet, freelance writer, author, and former newspaper columnist. She has degrees in Psychology and Biblical studies

The eyes shift downward

Her head drops in shame

Too many years she’s been called ugly names

Boney, skinny, string bean, too tall in height

High yellow, light bright and damn near white

They yanked her pigtails shouting “good hair”

Ignored her on the playground as if she was not there

Flat chested with toothpick legs they say

Sometimes telling her she cannot play

The mirror indicates to her that it's true

There's no one to tell her you just be you

Embarrassed disrespected rejected and hurt

Laughed at scorned kicked down in the dirt

In adulthood weight and confidence have been gained

But painful childhood memories will always remain

Sometimes still her reflection has cast down eyes

Indicating the hidden shame she still carries inside

She tries so hard to not to seem insane

Bit the chold hood memories of pain, remain.

© 2020 Cheryl E Preston

Comments

OLUSEGUN from NIGERIA on March 06, 2020:

To move forward we have to grow over this, surrounding ourselves with positive minded people.

Cheryl E Preston (author) from Roanoke on February 02, 2020:

Yes it truly is

Anya Ali from Rabwah, Pakistan on February 01, 2020:

Heartbreaking! Bullying is as serious a problem as climate change and nuclear armament.

Cheryl E Preston (author) from Roanoke on January 31, 2020:

Yes that’s true

OLUSEGUN from NIGERIA on January 31, 2020:

It is like a scar of a wound on the body, you will always remember the scene. Good!

Cheryl E Preston (author) from Roanoke on January 31, 2020:

Thank you for your kind words as always Ms. Dora.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on January 31, 2020:

Shameful also for those who caused the shame to the victim. You captured the emotional fallout really well. Thanks for keeping this situation before us.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on January 28, 2020:

Cheryl,

This is such a great poem.

Being bullied and called names stick to one throughout his life.

No matter how much confidence one gains it always lives in the back of his mind.

I wish this would stop, but it seems to have gotten worse with the technolgy age we are now.

Word spreads in instant seconds...it is awful.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheryl E Preston (author) from Roanoke on January 28, 2020:

Thank you Jodah

John Hansen from Queensland Australia on January 28, 2020:

What a powerful poem with a clear and important message. The evil associated with bullying and shaming, and the need to fit in.

Lorna Lamon on January 28, 2020:

I feel there is a lot of shame attached to those who are bullied. Your poem shows this shame and the fact it can remain into adulthood. A powerful message Cheryl.