Sunday, January 27, 2013

A Thought~





'I stare at the human mind'
that continues to cause mental devastation...' 
though, I've plenty of reasons to exonerate them now 

I finished school eons ago; however memories lurk
 they sizzle, stir....  fleetingly
I've forgiven the sweet sinners; I thank them 
for they made my little heart
conscious, with the embers of hate
Unwittingly drawn into a dominant
 anglicized culture
crowning came easy for many, but
the naivete of my reactions made
 'snobbish' girls made fun of me
They kept aloof; abandoned me
whispered, giggled in the crowd
subjected me to emotional torture
The new school started suffocating me

After two days...  the students 
dispersed for the afternoon activities
I kept sitting....restless and awake
Sunlight tripped down the staircase
Calmed ....the thumping feet
Silence felt safer;.... and then
A pair of feet returned; smiled uncertainly
my bench-mate, .... pulled my hand 
gripped her fingers into mine, and
Took me to the ground..
it was a gesture; so transparent, so gratifying;
flowers and butterflies gushed forth
i couldn't unclench my fingers; it was 
 a new shore--- full of Sunshine! 



 There are some memories that seem fresh even after the passage of several years.  Bullying IS an unavoidable part of school life. No child deserves to be bullied - it's an unacceptable behavior and can have a devastating effect on the victim.... 

Written for sunday-mini-challenge.  First line taken from : The Dark Tree


47 comments:

  1. Panchali, the 'embers of hate' obviously taught you some valuable (though hard) lessons. Snobbishness or aloofness can be so painful for young people to endure. (Actually hard for people of any age.) What a wonderful thing the bench mate did. She was a strong and confident person, not in need of snobbery to demonstrate some kind of false superiority. Loved her gesture....and also the lesson it taught you. (And perhaps enlightens us all.)

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    1. Thanks Mary.Yes, we became best of friends...but, I lost tracks..alas!

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  2. Very true, Ma'am. Bullying is avoidable when you decide to stand up against it. Bullies are people who are insecure about themselves, who feel secure by bullying others. Once you show them you are not afraid of them, they wont dare to bother you. I guess this poem must have been pretty difficult for you to write, I am glad you made a friend for life in the process. Beautifully expressed. :)

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    1. Exactly...Akshay!The bullies need strong hands...but, from the very beginning, I have never been a fighter, hence have been exploited too by many acquaintances. Now, I have become stronger..thanks to my hubby n dotty!:)
      Thanks for the lovely comment.

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  3. Bullying has always been a part of our school life. We can argue that it makes us stronger for the future, but then again, what about kids who can't face bullying bravely. They are innocent kids after all, with a soft heart. I don't know if there is a remedy to it, though.

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    1. Yes Speck..I was a chicken-hearted person...hence, succumbed to a lot of nonsense!Now I am careful and much stronger mentally.
      Thanks so much!

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  4. The pecking order, bullying. Never acceptable but sadly too often inevitable. Great words full of emotion.

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    1. Thanks anthonynort for your encouraging comment. Truly appreciate :)

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  5. I cant stand how torturous kids make school years for other kids. My observation, and experience, is that those of us who were apart from the herd in school are now the most interesting grownups. I wish every school everywhere would do an anti-bullying Kindness program, which would reveal that each of those kids - the bullies and the bullied - carry their own pain and difficulties, and should reach out - as that wonderful friend did to you - instead of being cruel to each other.

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    1. Sherry, I agree with you.Schools should take necessary steps to prevent harassment. For kids..such anecdotes can leave a life-long impact on the psyche....its disgraceful and cruel to say the least!
      Thanks so much!

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  6. I started by reading "The Dark Tree" to see the birth of the first line of this poem. it would have been this line:
    "So easy to crawl into the fangs
    Of an unsanctified future… "
    and, of course, I would still like to see where that line would take you. . . BUT! What a poem you have written here about a near tragedy that is much to common but saved by the kindness of a (then) stranger. "The Dark Tree" and our earth does not have that guardian or that changce to survive that you allow the child in "A Thought." Both poems are powerfully engaging, but I particularly love the:
    " gesture; so transparent, so gratifying;
    flowers and butterflies gushed forth
    i couldn't unclench my fingers . . ."
    Hope and a new day come and show themselves to all through this poem. Lovely!

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    1. much "too" common--all my typos "chance" sorry.

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  7. I finished high school 50 years ago this year. I endured years of bullying because I was too young. Then my parents moved us to another school district, and I was allowed to shine, encouraged by my teachers and my friends. The memory of the bullying never went away, but it can be viewed without pain until I hear of someone else being bullied, then the pain comes back.
    This is an excellent poem, and I thank you for it.
    K

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  8. Bullying... you've rightly addressed the problem

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  9. Thank you for the personal share as this topic is very sensitive ~ The scars do linger long after the event has passed ~ Sadly, there is still much work to be done ~

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  10. This is heartbreaking to read and so real and true. Good work on a subject that seems to be without reliable answers. I hate that anyone goes through this but I think we all have at one time or another.

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  11. Your poems are so beautiful and carry some valuable lessons in the undercurrents. I loved this one thoroughly. Esp. loved the ray of hope in darkness that you instilled through your mate..

    BEAUTIFUL..

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  12. This kind of torture is so common in schools, unfortunately. Sometimes it makes a person succumb to the peer pressure and makes a child demanding and irritable at home. An inferiority complex thus having seeped in is very difficult to overcome. But if something positive happens in between like your morale boosting by your bench mate, The confidence the kid gains is incomparable.

    very emotive! beautifully penned, in trademark 'Panchali Di' style.

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  13. Beautiful words addressing a very sensitive issue. Bullying is a cowardly act and leaves such deep scars that is hard to forget. I absolutely loved the way you chose to end this poem, with a lot of hope and love - something that can help the wounds to heal and provide comfort and solace. Such a positive thought, loved it :)

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  14. Very well written with important message.

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  15. Reminded the school days...good one Panchali.

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  16. ah, those 'wonderful' school days, with the snooty crowd! I too was 'unsmart' and therefore relegated to that corner! Luckily, I had 1-2 friends who still liked me and that was enough! Feelings are so well expressed in your poems!

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  17. Well written post. Bullying is a terrible crime. I wrote a post on this too... do read it... http://e-pinion.blogspot.in/2012/05/bullying-serious-matter.html

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  18. So true! Wonderfully worded too!!

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  19. Nice and correctly portrayed post.....

    http://debnature.blogspot.in

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  20. Ma'am, you have expressed so poignantly and beautifully that which almost every child has experienced in one form or the other - bullied by peers and seniors at school, or siblings and cousins at home, or friends who lived in their neighbourhood.

    I myself was bullied by the son of a family friend when I was very young. He went to the same school as me, and was a Prefect. He would pick on me at school and at home. I was scared to report him for a long time, till a teacher caught him in the act and punished him. From then on, I not only stood up to those who tried to put me down, but also took to defending a few of my more docile friends. Sometimes all it takes is someone showing you kindness, or courage, or support in any form, for you to discover your own strength.

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  21. Beautifully expressed poem! I've been a victim of bullying too so could see myself in the poem. Those memories still haunt me at nights...

    Even I've written a poem on this to express my feelings
    Lonely classroom

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  22. Bullies..I wish there weren't any. I feel the pain in this...and the hope of those who see it and lift a hand to end it.

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  23. how beautifully you have expresses about bullying ... It has a great impact on a child's mind and its time we said no to bullying !

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  24. Panchali, this is one of the few beautiful poems I enjoyed reading recently. Yep, some memories are treasure troves we only cherish having them with 'unclenched fingers'.
    Kudos!

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  25. A nice poem taking us back to the memories of schooldays.

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  26. more of girly girly thing :) like it, though haven't experience any
    loved the way you ended it

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  27. Thank you for entering this hurtful place to make others aware. I'm so sorry you had to endure that.

    This is powerful:

    "made my little heart
    conscious, with the embers of hate"

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  28. The joy of a new found friend! Someone who loves you for who you are :)

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  29. very well said, Di! memories...good and bad linger..the assume different perceptions and proportions as we grow. So long they are positive, a silent thank you for the 'not so good' ones too! :)

    Novel...

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  30. A poem that reflects ones childhood days. Memories are back to those lovely days and thank you for the same.

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  31. "I couldn't unclench my fingers" :D Yay!

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  32. Aah!! I have been a member of the rescue team for those under clutches of bullying..Marvellous way of putting it into words..

    Would love to have your feedback on..

    http://odizzey.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/stranger-with-the-flowers-wow_blogadda/
    http://odizzey.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/haiku-heights-206-rescue/
    http://odizzey.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/wonder-nut-coconut-womensweb-goodness-of-coconut/

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  33. You're so right, unacceptable, yet seemingly unavoidable. I feel your pain. Hugs Panchali di.

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  34. few have been horrible to me...and i have been equally horible to many...but thats d part and parcel of life...thats what makes what we r today.

    UR AN EXCEPTIONAL WRITER...:)

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  35. Hello Dear Panchali
    This is one of the most beautiful poems!

    PANCHALI,I love you for being you are.
    I send a lot of kisses and greetings from Polish far.
    Lucia

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  36. Simple and nice and so true. Happens all the time. forgotten our won bearings and make fun of people who do not fit. Children imbibe from adults only...eh!
    I can identify with this.

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  37. you write from your heart panchali ma'm . that makes your poems sparkle the brightest ! . . lovely choice of words . . beautiful it is :)

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  38. relived my school days Panchali ----thanks for bringing that lump in my throat

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  39. I hate such kids and I think schools should take it seriously. I have seen few kids suffering because of it. Glad the poem ended on a positive note.

    ~A pocket full of sunshine~

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  40. Thanks ALL...for your comments and words of appreciation. I am grateful. I am not replying to everyone separately on this post. Please pardon..

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