Little Miss Nobody! Poem by Dawn Ferrett

Amid the hustle and bustle of the school playground,
One young girl sits all alone.
As quiet as a mouse, she watches, but doesn't join in.
No-one pays her any attention.

She tells herself she prefers it that way,
But she is lying - to the world and to herself.
She's so lonely it tears at her insides,
But she steadfastly refuses to let it show.

What a jolly time her tormentors would have
If they knew how much their teasing hurt her.
How mortifying that would be!
So, she sits, quietly, patiently, till the bell rings to go inside.

But the classroom brings no solace, either.
She sits as far to the back as possible.
The teacher asks the class a question.
She knows the answer, but won't raise her hand!
Heaven forbid!
Everyone would look at her - notice her!
Better to try to be invisible, a non-person!

Soon, the school day will be over.

Hopefully she will be able to avoid the recognition
Of those that taunt her, long enough to get her coat
And be on her way without incident.
Maybe she'll be gone before they see her
And decide to play their cruel games with her.

The favourite is the one where one of them 'accidentally' touches her,
Then runs around, screaming that he or she has caught a nasty plague -
Or disease, or fleas. or whatever -
And has to touch someone else to pass it on!
That one's always good for a laugh!
For everyone else, anyway!
For her it's like a knife through her heart!
Every time!
And it never gets old! ! ! !

But none of them know!
None of them will EVER know how caustic their gibes are!
She'll make sure of that..........even if it kills her! ! ! ! ! ! ! !