#OpenLinkNight @dVersePoets ~ I'm Talking to YOU

It seems so simple.
To lift up
To support
to help bring out the best in another
to in turn
bring out the best in you.

It's far from difficult
the rewards are obvious
yet as a species
we just can't

We would rather harass a child
after taking her own life
than accept responsibility
for the role we played.

We would rather
dehumanize the victim
We would rather
dishonor her family
for the sake of a joke.

Do you not realize the quality of human who laughs with you?
Bottom-feeders
You're called troll for a reason
It's not a badge of honor.

How can you justify
sharing half-naked pictures
of a twelve year old
TWELVE
oh right
SHE should have known better.

Can't do this.
Can't live in a world like this.
Things have got to change.
You say "cry me a river"
I say you're part of the problem.

Posting for OpenLinkNight at dVersePoets where Brian Miller is taking the stage to host the best night of poetry on the web. See you at the pub!

Comments

Brian Miller said…
fug....this just gets uglier and uglier....if we dont like the world we have to be the ones to change it...one voice at a time...and you use yours...but it def can be a lonely road standing up for the little guy...when the big guys with sharp teeth want to have their way...love your compassion tash....and the truth you stand behind, in front of and up for...
Jenny Herner said…
Wow. Very moving. Heartfelt.
Laurie Kolp said…
It is a horrible situation which I think results from a lack of compassion like we talked about on Creative Nexus.

Powerful piece!
Pat Hatt said…
Yeah easier to blame
And to maim
Then to take a look at ones self
And change things around their shelf
Such a bunch of morons around
The cat prefers a hound haha
Unknown said…
Oh, you broke my heart wide open with this one: powerful, affecting, and I agree with Brian, your compassion is a force of nature. Roar, and the tides will alter their courses in response. Beautifully done!
Arjan Tupan said…
Oof, tough one. And I think it's amazing that you in your as a poet draws attention to this. It's horrible what people do to eachother, and sickening, and disheartening (is that a word). Fortunately, there are also many examples of people helping others out, from small random acts of kindness, to lifesavers.

Just a small example, this weekend friends told me about their daughter, who wanted to stay over at a class mates house, to show support for this kid, because he was harassed at school for being smart.

Great piece of poetry. Thank you for writing this.
Anonymous said…
yeah, this strikes deep...it could indeed be indifference that is the greatest peril to mankind...
Great- visceral indicting poem. When we have compassion, there are fewer laughs, but perhaps the world already has more than enough laughs. Great writing.
Susan said…
Tell them for me too, Tash. I can't think of a word I would leave out or coat with sugar.
hedgewitch said…
Agree totally--it's not a new phenomenon, but social media and youtube have blown it up exponentially--bad enough to be shamed and ridiculed by the fifty people you know, how devastating to be mocked by what must seem like the entire world. It sucks. Thanks for speaking out, Natasha.
Unknown said…
Powerful and on point
Be the change you want to see in the world

Laura said…
my heart is breaking Tash reading your words... yet as Brian said, "one voice at a time"... one act of compassion, one new connection to another who is suffering... that is how we make it happen, that is how we are the links in the chain of change.
Uneven Stephen said…
I've been feeling like this this past week, what with the child abductions (be it actual, alleged and/or attempted) going on around here. Makes me sick.
Dana Dampier said…
I totally agree with you... this is a terrible problem that too many people ignore.
Victoria said…
You know how to ask the questions, to deliver a kick in the gut. I can't begin to imagine what it must be that makes another human so depraved as to violate a child, or for others to cast blame on the child. Tragic.
Daydreamertoo said…
Bullying is on the increase in all ways, not just by kids but, adult to adult too. We seem to be going backwards instead of improving. The reason why the 15 year old killed herself last week is just so, so sad.
There is no easy answer either, it has to begin at home and then carry on into school and such.
Sad and now becoming all too familiar read Tash.
Anonymous said…
beautifully written
Shawn said…
This happens too too often in the realm of the anonymous. Trolls carry their fear and confinement close to their keyboard. It is sad what some people have become. Moving.
Ginny Brannan said…
I will never understand the mentality of those who belittle and bully. WE have to be the voice, the ones who speak out when this happens, against the fools and the under-educated. One person standing up at a time, one voice at a time, can make that change. Great piece, Natasha.
henry said…
I sure am glad you have a strong voice. I hope more people get to hear it!
Delaina said…
You have me shouting right alongside you. Great piece.
Mary said…
This poem speaks loud and clear, Natasha. So sad that sometimes the victim is dehumanized. We, as a group, just have to do better than this....and change! It takes all of us.
Claudia said…
oh tash i really love your passion for a better world...go for it poet..use your voice to raise awareness
Dark Angel said…
I wrote a paragraph and just erased it. Just damn.
Unknown said…
your response to this current event is intelligent and honest.
POWERFUL. Natasha, you nailed the sucker (the a-hole). Standing up for "the least" in our society, especially our vulnerable youth? How else can we live with ourselves? Here's mine, also about a disenfranchised person. Peace, and GOOD ON YOU, BABE.
http://sharplittlepencil.com/2012/10/14/since-the-procedure/
NOTE: Will be on vacation for two weeks, so I'll be scarce... see you around Halloween!
Unknown said…
Strong, powerful and filled with Truth Tash. Everyone needs to read this as too many of these senseless tragedies have been taking place recently, where one is way too many. Thanks for writing this.
jackiedick said…
Hear! Hear! and bless you for reminding us...we need to crawl out of our Caliban mud...reach for the best in each of us, help one another rather than bully, throw knives, bullets..I love your mind and heart in this, Tash...as always! Bravo!
a powerful write, Natasha! i wish i knew how we could bring about significant change.
John Richter said…
True, unfortunately. I've learned there is little we can do about it. As a child I often wondered what God meant when He said that with wisdom comes great distress. As a child I never knew of some of the truly evil things going on in this world. Learning of them destroys my heart..... A true poem Natasha - as hard as it hits...
Unknown said…
So well put! Modern technology seems to make it even easier to isolate, blame, ignore consequences. More than ever, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem...
Very powerful-- these things should make us all rise up, cry out...xxxj
Anonymous said…
You're raising a voice Tash, angry and committed and powerful. Thanks for taking a stand...

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