Poetry: “Bullyville”

Poem by Tamara Maswoswe, 19
New Jersey

Art by Cassie Coronel, 15
Utah

Stupid lockers

Slow hallway walkers,

Loads of work, and

Teachers who are over-talkers.

You’d think that with all the stress of school, family, and friends

The drama preexisting in my life would be enough,

But now those things don’t even make up half my problems

Since you have made it your mission to make my life rough.

You always get your friends and onlookers to gossip about me,

Ban me from the cool kids’ table at lunch, or do something else mean.

But I’m tired of letting tough girls like you ruffle my feathers,

Cause I’ve got a long way to go and I can only get better.

And though my world may be full of strife,

It’s still mine; so go get your own life.

And stop living a lie.

I am what I am,

Don’t tell me I’m not

Cause this is my life

In case you forgot.

Invisible,

Divisible,

Made fun of, and

Most of all plain miserable.

You think you’re entitled to superiority,

As if my feelings don’t matter the tiniest bit.

But stop labeling me with low popularity

Until your own price tag label isn’t counterfeit.

And yet I would still force myself to try and act like I belong

Despite your terms and conditions for “fitting in” being plain wrong.

I know I’ve got potential to be whoever I wanna be,

So quit mocking my cocoon, cause for now that’s all you get to see.

And once I break out you’ll be surprised

Cause I’ll be someone you don’t recognize.

But I will still be me.

I am what I am,

Don’t tell me I’m not

Cause this is my life

In case you forgot.

I’m glad that I can’t be

A part of your club;

Cause who needs Bullyville,

Population: Snobs?