This poem from the archives is still a very personal one for someone who reached my teens in the mid 1970’s and was often subjected to name calling . On relating this information to my parents I found that they had very different views on how I should deal with it. My mum who was far more culturally conservative than my dad, frequently told me that sticks and stones can break your bones but names can never hurt you. Fortunately my dad never believed that tired old line and he taught how to stand up for myself by using words wisely. As a poet that is exactly what I’ve tried to do and this anti bullying poem which I titled The Snowman hopefully shows that I have did as Samuel Taylor Coleridge would suggest in placed the best words in the best order. I hope you enjoy what I think will be a thought provoking read.
The Snowman
You saw a snowman yesterday
he smiled but your pals just frowned
and then you all threw sticks and stones
to knock the snowman down
You teased him and tormented him
you made the snowman cry
you didn’t think he had a heart
you stood and watched him die
And as he faded bit by bit
from many people’s lives
it showed the world the deepest wounds
don’t come from guns and knives
They’re fired from others careless lips
those words of hate and pain
when cowards who shut the whole world out
get 15 minutes of fame
The damage caused to innocents
by those as cold as snow
is felt by those the victim left
and bullies never know
The snowman had a lot of friends
who loved his happy face
and unlike thugs they’ll make this world
a kinder safer place.
© Gayle Smith 1993