July 3, 2014

Bully by J.K. Durick



It’s a matter of what we remember
And when we remember it –
The dents and dings of childhood
 
Now distant, still have a life,
Shadows, figures we see out of
The corner of our eye.
 
Fearsome power we know early,
Learn somehow to get on
With less of us left over.
 
Inevitable, inescapable – 
We weather the silence and
The complicity of friends.
 
After many years, I still feel it
The trap closing on me –
It was my fault for being
 
Too large, too awkward, always
Dressed wrong, afraid to fight,
Afraid of anger.
 
Embarrassing memories remain
With us – large and awkward.
I can still see his face, his fists.
 
I can still hear what he said and
His laughter, their laughter –
And it still frightens me.




J. K. Durick is a writing teacher at the Community College of Vermont and an online writing tutor. His recent poems have appeared in Shot Glass JournalBlack MirrorThird WednesdayThrush Poetry Journal, and Leaves of Ink.

1 comment:

  1. The victims of bullying can never really trust very easily. It does not "go away". Thank you for this poem.

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