Joe, the Bully

Joe, our grade school bully,

Never bullied me.

Flying under the radar,

I got off scot-free.

 

Though I felt relieved,

I should have been incensed,

For seldom were his victims

Ever recompensed.

 

I wish I'd had the chutzpah

To walk up to him and intone,

"Hey, brainless buttface,

Leave that kid alone!"

 

What I would have done next,

I haven't the slightest clue.

I was a geeky kid

Who'd jump if you said "Boo!"

 

I should at least have tried

An approach more diplomatic

And NOT have selected

An expression so…emphatic.

 

Nonetheless, I never

Castigated Joe.

I was a helpless kid;

What the heck did I know?

 

We adults see bullying,

And we don't make a fuss.

Are we just delighted

That no one's bullying us?

 

We all know what happens

When people are afraid

To speak out against injustice.

Humanity is betrayed.

 

(9-8-16)