Reviews from

Out of the Depths

about learning to ignore bullies

26 total reviews 
Comment from Aiona
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow! You wrote this quite a while ago. It's very good. I don't usually care for free verse, but this has a distinct meter. About three beats per line. That makes it seem to flow quite nicely. The topic is also very beautiful -- finding confidence in oneself.

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 20-Jan-2023
    Nice to hear from you, Aiona. Glad you liked the poem. I am honored by the six star rating. Thank you.
    Joan
Comment from Sarah Tummey
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This poem reminds me of the saying always quoted to us when we were kids: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" - total rubbish, because words can do far greater damage than sticks or stones and once something is said, there's no taking it back.

It's difficult to ignore bullies, especially if there's an element of truth to what they're saying.

I think my favourite was the part about unkindness robbing the victim of the happiness they should have been well-acquainted with.

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
    Thanks for the review, Sarah. I am glad you found a favorite part the resonates with you.
    Joan
Comment from Jim Wile
Excellent
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Very well-written poem on a difficult and heart-breaking subject--especially for young people who haven't learned enough or gained enough self-respect to ignore the insults. Bullying is a sad fact of life which says more about the bully than the bullied. The poem was cogent and beautifully done.

(In the last verse, it should probably be "frees the tears" instead of "free the tears.")

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
    Thanks for the careful reading and nice review, Jim.
    I will make the change
    Joan
Comment from Karyn2
Excellent
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This poem is filled with so much emotion! I liked the way you used the prompts creatively in this piece too "cheating" I would have thought would naturally describe a person but "cheating you of the life and happiness" was a brilliant line. I like your two last lines describing the wall crumbling and realisation that no one can use words to define who or what you are. Well written.

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
    Thanks for the kind words and high rating, Karyn. I appreciate both.
    I am glad you found favorite lines the resonated with you.
    Joan
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Excellent
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Words can be very profound and can hurt us deeply but we must always remember where they originate from and know that the person saying them is worthy of note or just someone who is jealous of us. Bullies are often insecure people who are afraid for themselves, your words here ring true and are well delivered, it is a pity you couldn't enter the contest but raising the funds isn't easy these days as we have to prioritise and spend our money on other things. At least you published your poem for us to read, much enjoyed, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 19-Jan-2023
    Thanks for your kind words and continuing support, Dolly. Glad you liked the poem.
    Joan
Comment from Paul McFarland
Excellent
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One of the most important things a teacher must do is prevent and deal with bullying. It is not enough to just stop bullying. The bully must be taken aside, and the teacher must find out the root cause for the bully's actions and then try to put the bully on the right path. I was a teacher.

 Comment Written 18-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 18-Jan-2023
    Hi Paul,
    I would think it would be hard to find the cause of the bullying and to get the parents to help.
    Thanks for reading and commenting.
    Joan
Comment from Douglas Goff
Excellent
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Oh my, this piece of work is hauntingly true. As someone who was bullied by the entire Northwoods Football Team and coach, I found your words to ring sadly true.

My daughter was getting bullied in the 7th grade (punched in the face by a boy twice her size) and during my meeting with her school, they simply changed the word. They said it was 'thugging', not bullying, therefore they had no bully problem. Nonsense.

Good to continue shining light on this issue.

D

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 18-Jan-2023
    Thanks for reading and reviewing. I am sorry you and your daughter were bullied. Also, her school has their heads under the sand. It will come back to bite them. Maybe if people started suing bullies for assault, this would change. I got this artwork from fan art. Sometimes I get them from Google images.
    Keep writing and stay healthy
    Joan
Comment from harmony13
Excellent
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The author's word's are heartfelt, sad, descriptive and creative. The strong
words and description of this scene made it clear to see the pain one
suffers when under these conditions. The last two line are uplifting and ease the intensity of the theme of this poem. Happy New Year!....Maria

 Comment Written 17-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 17-Jan-2023
    Thanks, Maria, for the thorough and encouraging review. Happy New Year to you too.
    Joan
Comment from Marienkiefer
Excellent
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A great write here, explaining the emotional effects, and physical impact of bullying and the fortitude needed to overcome.
-This poem invites readers, for a moment ,to walk a mile in someone else-s shoes.
I come away with a better understanding. Thank you for writing about this.
Schools these days have policies against bullying, but falling short of commitment. I always wonder how is it that bullying in school and work environment, for example, continue to exist, alongside ethics policies, workplace values and code of conduct supposedly in place in these environments? What are we missing here?

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 16-Jan-2023
    Hi Marie,
    Thanks for your encouraging words and for all the stars.
    I have the same questions you do on this subject.
    Joan
Comment from Ginda Simpson
Excellent
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This is a powerful verse and your imagery really makes us feel the weight of the victim's bullying experience. You have chosen perfect picture words for this piece. And I like that you offer a way out, the healing tears.

 Comment Written 16-Jan-2023


reply by the author on 16-Jan-2023
    Hi. Ginda,
    Thanks for reading and commenting on my post.
    I am glad you liked it.
    Joan