Got a story/ poem to share - as either a bully, bully's assistant, reinforcer, target, defender or outsider? Phew, bullying is a complicated issue!!!! If you are not sure what all these roles are . . . .

Black Rose

slowly its dying
its crippled and black,
but with a life filled with beauty
it'll never look back.

its brothers and sisters
of red, white and yellow,
sway in the breeze
so gentle and mellow.

but the one in the centre
the one that that looks dead,
has been picked by the gardener
and he's snipped off its head

but the sad thing is
that the rose hadn't died,
it was just simply black
and so hurt the gardeners pride

it was the best flower
it was stronger and fuller,
but to the gardener
it was just the wrong colour.

he just couldn't appreciate
the beauty within,
cuz all he could see
was the colour of skin.

Jon (Year 11)

Inexplicable Routine

Burning sensation in the back of my throat,
Aching and straining, but I shall not give in.
I can tell what's coming now as the "sensation"
Is so familiar to me.
I'm desparately trying not to cry

For reasons unbeknown to me,
I'm picked on.
Small differences between us are ripped and torn to
Be Extreme.

The clothes I wear,
The music I listen to,
Even the games I play.
These things make me different, make me a target.

Jon (Year 11)

---

Here is another poem/song written by Jessica who attends a Leicestershire School. I'm sure you will agree this is a very emotive poem, showing the courage and strength of overcoming bullying. The chords are given if any budding musicians fancy having a go!

Be Strong

VERSE 1:

Are you swimming upstream, in oceans of blue?

Do you feel like your sinking?

Are you sick of the rain, after all you've been through?

Well I know what you're thinking.

When you can't take it, you can make it

Sometime soon I know you will see,

CHORUS:
C F C
'Cause when you're in your darkest hour,
F C F
And all of the light just fades away.
C F C
And when you're like a single flower,
F C F
Whose colours have turned to shades of grey.
G
Well hang on
C
Be strong.

VERSE 2:
F C F
Are you safe on your own, walking alone?
F C
Do you still feel empty?
F C D
Are you sick of the torment, after all you’ve been through?
F C
Well I know how you’re feeling.
C Em G Em
I thought the same and I felt the same
Dm F
But I looked on the brighter side
CHORUS:
C F C
'Cause when you're in your darkest hour,
F C F
And all of the light just fades away.
C F C
And when you're like a single flower,
F C F
Whose colours have turned to shades of grey.
G
Well hang on
C
Be strong.

VERSE 3:
F C F
You're taking each step one day at a time,
F C
You can't lose your spirit.
Am
Well let live and let live,
G
Forget and forgive,
G G
And it's all how you see it.
C Em G Em
And just remember, keep it together
Dm F
Don't you know you're never alone?

CHORUS:
C F C
'Cause when you're in your darkest hour,
F C F
And all of the light just fades away.
C F C
And when you're like a single flower,
F C F
Whose colours have turned to shades of grey.
G
Well hang on
C
Be strong.
CHORUS:
C F C
'Cause when you're in your darkest hour,
F C F
And all of the light just fades away.
C F C
And when you're like a single flower,
F C F
Whose colours have turned to shades of grey.
G
Well hang on
C
Be strong.

Hold on and be strong.

(Jessica, year 11)

I would like to hear stories and poems from all sides - here are some questions to help you get your experience in words.

• What happened? What started it?
• How did you feel? Did that change?
• Who did you go to for help?
• Was a gang involved? Did the relationship in the gang change?
• How was the situation solved?
• Do you have any regrets?
• Has your life changed because of your experience? How?

These are only pointers - the main thing is to get your side across, no matter what role you may have taken. Others may be able to learn from your experience.

Send as an attachment - preferred (Word document or PDF) to:
charbison@leics.gov.uk

or post to:

Caroline Harbison
Anti-Bullying Strategy
Leicestershire County Council
Educational Psychology Service
OEM Building
Whiteacres
Cambridge Road
Whetstone
Leicestershire
LE8 6ZG

Please ensure the following:

• the names in the text are changed so all persons are annonymous
• only use fictional Christain names
• the name of your school is not used - use a fictional one if necesssary

Please note that only some stories will be published on site. By sending your story in to us, you are giving permission for us to publish it on the Beyond Bullying web site.