Bystander | Teen Ink

Bystander

January 27, 2013
By hatster2 BRONZE, River Vale, New Jersey
hatster2 BRONZE, River Vale, New Jersey
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

Throat closes up, blood rushes to your cheeks
Guilt cascades your thoughts with a flood of shame
You are not the bully, but you watch; meek
Bully, bystander are one and the same

Flowers can't thrive without water or sun
Words can turn to poison with fuel from peers
To escape torture, your choice is to run
The monster that you are plagues you with fear

Behind each cloud is a lining of light
However mighty the virulent seas
Above the deep abyss the sun burns bright
One day I'll only be truthful to me

Until that day I'll try and try again
No more watching. That's the message I send.


The author's comments:
I wrote this poem based on a personal experience of mine, where I felt the shame of being a bystander. I hope that readers will realize just how painful a situation it is to be in, and learn from my mistakes.

Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 1 comment.


on Feb. 6 2013 at 1:24 pm
margaret15 BRONZE, Mpls, Minnesota
1 article 0 photos 4 comments
I really enjoy the word choices. It over all is beautiful.