i can see the tears
the ones you try so hard
to hide behind the fake smile
and all that make up
i can tell
that you are hurting
that your heart is breaking
when no one is looking
you wipe away the tears
you try to be strong
believing no one will understand
for so long
you have been dying in silence
you want to scream out
but no one would understand
you are already odd as it is
why draw more attention to yourself?
so an act you put up
an actor worthy of an oscar
you have everyone fooled
but i know you
i see beyond the masks
i see the pain you work so hard to hide
i know it all
not because i am some magician
some things
only experience can give
i have been there
done that
got a t shirt
im proud to wear it
so that you will know
you are not alone
that there is another
who has been
where you now are
and they made it
to the other side of the tunnel
and so can you
i wear the t-shirt proudly
for you and others like you to know
there is hope.
no matter how much it hurts
if you hold your head high
if you walk on
though times you break down
you pick yourself up and journey on
a day will come
when you will be strong enough
to stand up to your haters
to look them in the face and smile
and walk past them
like they don’t even exist.
so hold on
and be real
don’t hide it
do not die alone in silence
in speaking out
there is strength
and there is encouragement
coz you are never alone
even in that darkness
that your think is your own
if you lit a candle
you would see
the other many people
just like you
hiding in the dark
not knowing what to do
so speak up
i did
and i got help
and now i don’t have to fake it
i smile deeply and truly
i know better
i spoke out.
speak out
and you will find a hand to hold
and an ear to listen
and a heart to love you.
you will be ok
if you hold on
and speak out.
special dedication to all who have been subjected to some kind of bullying.
Miss Adoyo 