I remember the history of my first scar,
You don’t forget bullying and barbed wire
Chased by a group of Catholic and non Catholic boys,
There was little difference between bullies in those days,
They all ran fast in the thrill of the hunt
Cornered at the base of a once insurmountable chain mail fence
Fear can make a young boy do extraordinary things
Climbing the 12 feet and flipping over the top
Barbed wire hung rusty on the other side of the fence
Careless workmanship an age old story
I remember the feeling as barb caught skin and
Still visualise the trail of bright red running down my leg
The run home was fast and bloody, my grey sock turning red
I tried to sneak in quietly through the back door
But an ever vigilant mother could not be outsmarted
I’m sure I lied, never telling her that I was being chased
Life was easier to live if the bullies felt you never told
Bullying is like racism, it’s not in your genes, it’s learned
What I want to know is what were the teachers teaching
Nothing good comes with a serving of barbed wire
by TONY MUTTON
© All rights reserved 2021
unbolt me 
Fine heartfelt piece with a compelling ending
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It truly is. We just had to share it!
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Mr Muttons words resonated with me; Most of us have to make that run sometimes.
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Unfortunately, that’s often true. 😦
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Wow. I was drawn along the chase with you. So vivid. Well done.
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Thanks so much for reading, Isabella! 🙂
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Interesting – Bullies should ALWAYS be called out. I know it is hard, and I know the cost. it is a matter of self-respect for me.
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I agree. I was bullied all through my high school years, and I really wish I’d had the courage to call them out.
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Very powerful!
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It really hit us when we first read it too!
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