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A LITTLE DIFFERENT
It has been my privilege for 39 years to work in a field where
My students need a great deal of assistance, humanity and care.
Many of the children and young adults I’ve taught I’m sure most people would agree
Do not see the world the same as you...nor quite the same as me.
You might say they’re a little different and we teachers need to address
Their unique set of problems and abilities the rest of us don’t possess.
It’s funny but in a world that prides itself on the individual...no it is a shame
How we would rather those around us think and act the same.
Today I observed a lone girl walk up to 4 boys without hesitation
She heard what they were talking about and wanted to join their conversation.
It was obvious this little girl did not know who these boys were
And her question was met with silence as the group kept ignoring her.
It only took a few moments for them her innocence to betray
She thanked them all for listening then slowly walked away.
After she left they had no trouble talking and the things they said were cruel.
I was glad she was not around to hear their laughter or feel their ridicule.
Certainly this girl was different she didn’t look or act the norm
To the standards of what we think is acceptable she did not conform.
And I have to wonder why we make fun of differences, why are we so afraid?
If everything was similar what a boring world God would have made.
What if there was only one bird with only one song to sing?
What if there was only one flower that would blossom every spring?
Think of all the diversity in life we would be missing
There certainly wouldn’t be as much joy in all our reminiscing.
I’m sorry for this little girl though I don’t think it bothered her as much as me
And I’m sorry for these 4 boys for they were incapable to see
Past the differences and the laughter and the insults they did hurl
Into the uniqueness and the beauty of this lovely little girl.
A Very compassionate and beautiful assessment...........
as I read your poem I was reminded of the old saying Children are the cruelest people in the world. It is a common occurence even to children who have no learning difficulties and by all rights are lovely looking children. I see on television a pic of a child who is being bullied in school and it shocks me cause she's a beautiful little girl or teenager and I don't see how the others could think she is not. It's a timeless ailment in this life but for the most part we all go through that phase whether we are on the giving end or receiving end and we grow out of it and grow up to realize there is beauty in every eye. I believe God puts people like you who can see this upon this earth to help guide others to not be and certainly at the very least to not stay so shallow in their own lives. Think about the girls/ women who get by on their looks and how sad it must be for them when they age out and just get old and don't look so good anymore. What do they do when they no longer have their stunning good looks to rely on and have not fostered anything else to fall back on. Those must be some very sad women indeed. Likely some men come upon that problem too. I really enjoyed your heart felt piece. I commend such people as you for your great sacrifices to be a teacher. Many times I've heard it's a thankless job but some of the finest people I've ever known in my life were teachers I had in school. I was blessed to meet some of them later in life and tell them what their teaching me meant to me and how I never forgot them. I am sure that is balm for the teacher's soul to have students come up to them so many years after they had them in their class and tell them how blessed they feel to have had them as their teacher. Your poem was raw and pure and represents the true spirit of a good teacher. Thank you for sharing what you witnessed that little girl go through...... Sincerely, Melissa Lundeen.