My Biggest Life Lesson

This is a chapter from my past

A lesson etched in concrete, something built to last,

Eighth grade, that's the year, my whole world shifted around.

Before that, I was cool, never heard a hateful sound,

Never got picked on, never knew the bully's glare,

Walked through elementary with not a single care,

Then came the eighth grade, and a switch just flipped,

Suddenly I'm targeted, felt like I was stripped

Of innocence, mentally, and physically too,

Tortured for no reason, like what'd I ever do?,

They'd clown my clothes, my hair, my face, my every move,

Every single day, felt like I had to prove

Something I wasn't, just to escape the hate,

Trapped in that cycle, sealed by a cruel fate,

Harassed in the hallways, even outside the school,

Felt like the world was laughing, playing me for a fool.

It was a turning point, a fire in the night,

Showed me darkness, but also showed me light,

This wasn't random chaos, there was a higher plan,

God had a message for this young, confused man.

That eighth-grade year, it humbled me to the bone,

Taught me how to stand up, on my own, all alone,

Never be a bully, never fake who you are,

You don't need to be violent to show the who you are,

And walk away stronger, with your head held high,

That year was a lesson, written in the sky.

Felt like a storm brewing, constant, day by day,

But a new perspective started guiding my way,

Saw the pain they caused, and I swore right then and there,

I'd never inflict that misery, never spread that fear,

No need to pretend, no tough-guy facade to wear,

Just be authentic, let my true spirit air,

Learned to use my voice, I don't have to throw a fist,

Inner strength I found, that I never knew existed,

Standing my ground firmly, with dignity and grace,

Looking them in the eyes, holding my own space,

It broke me down, but built me up again,

Showed me true resilience, rising from the pain,

God said, "Son, I'm gonna mold you from the clay,"

Made me understand myself in a new, profound way.

And just like it started, abruptly, it was done,

That year closed its chapter, beneath the rising sun,

Never saw those faces, never heard their taunts again,

Like a bad dream fading, at the very end.

That divine intervention, perfectly timed and clear,

Pulled me from the shadows, washed away the fear.

For better or for worse, it forged a brand new me,

From the ashes of that struggle, I found my liberty.

The lesson from the heavens, clear for all to see,

That's the eighth-grade story, that changed my destiny.

Humble beginnings, stronger than before...

Never again, nevermore.