Steel and a Feather

How can it be?

I don’t understand.

I’m a good person,

I lend a hand.

I try to be fair.

I try not to hurt others.

I want everyone to like me.

I help my sisters and brothers.

One day in October I got beaten so bad.

I was bullied and hurt.

I was terribly sad.

He was a monster, a beast.

So violent and cruel.

Like a crazed deadly serpent.

Like a large charging bull

I survived.

I am treating my wounds.

I will heal.

Underneath my peaceful exterior

I am made out of steel.

What I don’t understand.

What I fail to comprehend.

Is that others around me,

The bully defend.

They say the bully did not live in a vacuum.

That I was the one who really attacked him.

I am the strong one, made out of steel.

The bully is poor.

He got the raw deal.

They say I should have given him money.

Even part of my house.

I am the lion, they say.

He is the mouse.

How could they say these things?

All of these lies?

How could they twist the truth?

And look in my eyes.

It is true that my bones and my tissues are steel.

But my soul is a feather.

I feel, oh I feel.

I feel angry, betrayed.

Their words cut me right through.

I feel bruised and alone.

But I know what to do.

I will stand up against them.

The beastly bully, his friends.

I am strong, I am brave.

I will fight to their end.

I will not let them beat me again.

Not the beast, nor those fools.

If I am not for myself, who will be?

Those are my new rules.

I will still be kind and giving.

No, I won’t quit it.

I will lend a hand and be fair.

Only to those who deserve it.

I am made up of both raw steel and a feather.

Don’t try me,

Don’t.

These are invincible together.