Kidscorner

Thursday 7 February 2019

Zero Tolerance

Prompt by Poets United: Zero tolerance

     Source



Zero tolerance

A brave little girl made a movie
in her mind, designed to wear off
the pointy edges of phrases flicked at her.
The script changed as she got haunted
by the hate dripping of words,
blending with her bleeding heart.
All stood by as she died a little more

A man sucked into a vacuum as
people didn’t ask him, ignored him
rejected him, avoid him, like
paranoids destroyed him. As this soul 
cries at night, melted drops of longing
from a frozen heart drifting off into the dark
All stood by when he died a little more

A woman hiding in shame, attacked
with blame based on untruth, on deceit
when so called friends were indiscreet
splashing ink in the gossip circle
staining her name, causing her pain
Her soul naked, stripped from dignity.
All stood by when she died a little more

Support these souls who suffer so much
Connect to them, respect them to heal this world
Stand up, speak out, raise your voice, rise above
Don’t accept bullying just a little bit
Zero tolerance is the human approach to it

38 comments:

  1. "respect them to heal this world"...The soothing expression has a beautiful, calming effect. Hope happiness never remains elusive to the tormented souls.

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    1. Thanks Sumana I hope so to I think most humans are resilient but it will take a long time to overcome these things

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  2. Wow! 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.

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    1. Thanks 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

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  3. "All stood by...". Yes, we are not the good souls that we would like to think we are.
    The 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!

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    1. Thanks Duta yes we should watch it and there should be more social involvement on all levels to stand strong

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  4. You 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.

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    1. Thanks Sherry Sounds like an interesting film Hopefully many people go and see it

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  5. raise the voice to show zero tolerance , action is to take a stand..powerful message

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    1. Thanks Anjum I think we should protect each other more

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  6. So sad to think how lies and abuse can hurt others so much.

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    1. Yes Myrna it is sad isn't it but it happens on a big scale Here in NZ you here about it everywhere

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  7. Bullying 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.

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    1. It is fairly common here I have to say. I find it these days far worse though than when I was a child

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  8. Sadly 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.

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    1. You are totally correct that's why it is hard to change. I do try to challenge the status quo

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  9. Marja, 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.

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    1. I am so sorry to hear that, dear. I wish you lots of love and light

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  10. You are so talented. A beautiful poem about an ugly problem.

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  11. I 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:
    ‘when so called friends were indiscreet
    splashing ink in the gossip circle
    staining her name, causing her pain’.

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  12. A wonderful write, with a wonderful message....

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  13. I like your approach to the words "zero tolerance" Marja.
    The 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

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    1. Thanks you so much Peggy I think we need all of it. I have experienced that tolerance to it is even worse
      I 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.

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  14. 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

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    1. I almost start to like religion as people indeed are hard cases

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  15. Your refrain was perfect to get the sense of tragedy acknowledged. Excellent poem, Marja!

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  16. I 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.

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  17. I 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.

    No one should have to live in fear. And no person allow it. No, not ever.

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    1. Thanks totally agree No one should have to live in fear

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  18. Bullying 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.

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  19. Thought provoking and beautifully written.

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  20. Such 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

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Thank you!!