Creative Expression Contest 3rd Place Prize Winner 2006

"New Beginnings" - Poem
By Lara Mitra, Age 13
Sidwell Friends School
Washington, DC
Teacher: Tim Reagan



Jan 06, 2006

Stand strong
What they say isn’t true
The names will only hurt
If you let them get to you

Don’t be afraid
They just don’t have a clue
It’s nothing personal
They just happened to pick on you

If you permit them to make you a victim
Of all the “games” they play
They will have won
And will do it everyday

Don’t let the name-calling hold you back
For that is what it’s meant to do
Is you ignore them
They won’t ever bother with you

The time is ripe
To start anew
Anything is possible
This is too

Don’t just be a witness
One who sees, but doesn’t do
What is happening to the victims
Could just as easily happen to you

Don’t snicker as you walk by
And encourage them to strike
They will feel overlooked
And that they won’t like

Don’t be the audience
Of their cruelty and evil
Just walk away
And they will look uncivil

Be part of the solution, not of the problem
Make the victim your friend
Be welcoming
Setting a new trend

The time is ripe
To start anew
Anything is possible
This is too

Why? Is all I have to say
In disgrace, in dismay
Why pick on someone day after day
Can’t you think of a better way?

Why do you name call?
Envy is one possibility
Why not admire the person instead
Is that beyond your capability?

Name-calling is not the way
And bullying is hardly the tool
That can carry you forward
And make you feel “cool”

Be recognized and respected
By doing good things proudly for all to see
Things that are meaningful
And will help you model be

The time is ripe
To start anew
Anything is possible
This is too

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