The Bully Principle Poem by Jim Boone

Life, insecure and focused on putting
down the security of others: The bully
is claiming your ground. Stand on it.

The neighborhood bully's parents are the
worst: They drink, smoke, fight and
get divorced. He doesn't have a bike
and knocks you off yours; doesn't take
well to learning, and tries to beat yours
out of you, thus becoming a teacher.
You move on to better times while he
stands still, warped in time.

The bully boss has no people skills; can
crunch numbers, but finds it impossible
to embrace diversity. This one values
nothing but a big paycheck and annual
bonus. They will turn on you on the
pretense of humor and concern, make
jokes at your expense, be the first to
dally in sexual harassment, always
gauging further action on your
reaction (or the lack of) .

Stand up to him (or her) , with work
ethic and resolve. The curators of the
bottom line are ultimately on your side
if you push them. Prayer for just desserts
works, 'To the good of all concerned'
should be your bottom line.

The bully company or agency goes strictly
by the book; their policies will always
shoot down 'special attention for just
cause.' You will do yourself in trying
to cause change, so let it go. Their might
and your right are 12-steps apart.

The bully spouse is either messing around,
drinks too much, can't keep a job that pays,
is all job, or all of the above. Consider your-
self; your children if you have them, and
plan a route of departure, start planning now.

In the 21st Century, despite all the progress
gay and lesbian teens are giving the bully
the upper hand and cashing in all too often.

A life of insecurity - a power play - focused
on shaking the security of others; attempts
to keep others from moving on to higher ground.

Hold on, it will get better, and worse
And better. That's the bully principle.



2001