Zero Tolerance
A brave little girl made a movie
in her mind, crafted to smooth
the jagged edges of words flung at her.
But the script twisted as she was haunted
by hate, dripping from cruel tongues,
blending with her bleeding heart.
All stood by as she died a little more.
A man, pulled into a vacuum,
shunned, unseen, unspoken to.
People passed him like a shadow,
paranoia poisoned perception—
his soul cried quietly at night,
teardrops of longing melting
from a frozen heart into the dark.
All stood by as he died a little more.
A woman wrapped in shame,
attacked with blame spun from lies.
So-called friends, false and fleeting,
splattered ink in gossip’s circle
staining her name, stripping her peace,
her soul laid bare, dignity diminished.
All stood by as she died a little more.
Support these souls who silently suffer.
Connect with them. Respect them.
Stand up. Speak out.
Raise your voice. Rise above.
Zero tolerance, say it clear:
there is no place for hate in here.
"respect them to heal this world"...The soothing expression has a beautiful, calming effect. Hope happiness never remains elusive to the tormented souls.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sumana I hope so to I think most humans are resilient but it will take a long time to overcome these things
DeleteWow! From the very first 3 lines, you gripped my heart. These are strong images in a powerful poem. What would the punishment be that could make the behavior vanish? Perhaps a healing, a public healing and restorative justice? And who could be trusted to further this cause? I want to work toward zero humiliations.
ReplyDeleteThanks a healing sounds good, I think awareness what bullying is and what the effects are is the first step. Punishment depends on the situation and finding common ground with the victim so people can better identify and move forwards in peace
Delete"All stood by...". Yes, we are not the good souls that we would like to think we are.
ReplyDeleteThe last stanza of your important poem tells people exactly what is expected of them: support, stand up, speak out, condemn bullying, injustice, shaming. Practice zero tolerance to all negative aspects in our life!
Thanks Duta yes we should watch it and there should be more social involvement on all levels to stand strong
DeleteYou have shown the pain caused by bullying and malicious words so well. I am looking forward to seeing the film "The Hate U Give" on the same topic. It will likely break my heart, but I am glad they are making movies like this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry Sounds like an interesting film Hopefully many people go and see it
Deleteraise the voice to show zero tolerance , action is to take a stand..powerful message
ReplyDeleteThanks Anjum I think we should protect each other more
DeleteSo sad to think how lies and abuse can hurt others so much.
ReplyDeleteYes Myrna it is sad isn't it but it happens on a big scale Here in NZ you here about it everywhere
DeleteBullying is so bad. We all encounter it in some way every day. Because of the color of our skin, the clothes we wear, our sexuality, the class we were born into, rich, poor, homelss, living in mansions. We all encounter it.
ReplyDeleteIt is fairly common here I have to say. I find it these days far worse though than when I was a child
DeleteSadly greed wins over compassion every time. We are encouraged not to share but build our wealth at others expense as that means you are successful. Love and compassion have no place in this new world for that just shows weakness.
ReplyDeleteYou are totally correct that's why it is hard to change. I do try to challenge the status quo
DeleteMarja, throughout this poem, I found myself, being described. As someone, who's living with mental illness, transgender and one time, living in a homeless shelter. Now surrounded, by 3 loving cats that I share my apartment with. Thank you, for writing part of my life.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear that, dear. I wish you lots of love and light
DeleteYou are so talented. A beautiful poem about an ugly problem.
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane
DeleteI like the way your poem begins with that ‘brave little girl’ and the ‘movie in her mind’, Marja. The plosive alliteration of ‘pointy edges of phrases’ conveys the power and pain of abusive words. I also like the wordplay in ‘blending with her bleeding heart’. The opening stanza sets the tone and introduces the very effective repeated phrase. I also like the lines:
ReplyDelete‘when so called friends were indiscreet
splashing ink in the gossip circle
staining her name, causing her pain’.
Thanks Kim for your great evaluation
DeleteA wonderful write, with a wonderful message....
ReplyDeleteThanks Annell
DeleteI like your approach to the words "zero tolerance" Marja.
ReplyDeleteThe growing popularity of “zero tolerance” policies towards bad behaviour in schools is feeding a mental health crisis among pupils according to an article I read.
"Teachers are worried about the levels of anxiety, self-harm and disaffection they're witnessing." "Behaviour sanctions often aren't the answer - we need smaller classes, flexible engaging curricula and pastoral support.”
The words in your last paragraph speak volumes "Support these souls who suffer so much, Connect to them, respect them to heal this world".
Another soul searching masterpiece you have written my friend.
Namaste
Peggy xxxx
Thanks you so much Peggy I think we need all of it. I have experienced that tolerance to it is even worse
DeleteI think it should carefully be evaluated if it is a one off or not, how bad it is etc than not only sanction but discuss and teach the bullies how their actions affect people.
A perennial problem. Humans are a flawed species with vicious appetites.Religion was supposed to bludgeon it out of us and civilise the beast but since its not important anymore man has returned to the jungle...survival of the fittest and biggest reigns supreme.Your poem expresses this very well
ReplyDeleteI almost start to like religion as people indeed are hard cases
DeleteYour refrain was perfect to get the sense of tragedy acknowledged. Excellent poem, Marja!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sara
DeleteI know of someone who has been so severely bullied, he can no longer work. Bullying should not be accepted in any form. Great poem, Marja.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree thanks Karen
DeleteI really like the way you've structured the poem, offering us snapshots of the wrongness, elaborating on how it has been made worse, and then ending with a huge "No!", which is what I always think about when I hear/read the phrase, zero tolerance.
ReplyDeleteNo one should have to live in fear. And no person allow it. No, not ever.
Thanks totally agree No one should have to live in fear
DeleteBullying is a scourge in all societies and often hidden. Words like your verses show the empathy and respect that people world-over need and too often lack.
ReplyDeleteThought provoking and beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anita
ReplyDeleteSuch a poignant and reflective poem of how we abuse others and ourselves Marja.. Food for thought and yes we should all heed your words well my friend <3
ReplyDelete