Here We Go…Again…

It wouldn’t be truthful to claim that every day was terrible; some were decent. However, being one of the few openly queer students in a private school certainly posed its challenges. Most of the time, I felt like a target, simply because I was seen as different. I’m certain Josh shared that sentiment.

Fortunately, I never shared a class with him, but he always had some unkind remark waiting for me in the hallways. I didn’t take his words to heart; I saw him more as a nuisance. But for him, it seemed like a personal mission. Why he chose to focus on me remains a mystery, but one thing was clear: he was taking my work, and that was unacceptable.

What the Heck? That's Mine!

Everyone has their unique ways of coping with life's challenges. For me, writing has always been my refuge. Over the years, I’ve filled countless notebooks with poems, stories, and journal entries. Sharing these with the world was daunting, but the positive responses motivated me to post more and refine my craft.

Soon enough, I found joy in sharing my thoughts and feelings through writing, which made enduring school much more manageable.

Fast forward a few months, and I stumbled upon a friend request from a girl I recognized from school. She seemed nice, so I accepted it and began scrolling through her profile. To my surprise, I spotted one of my poems. I wouldn’t have minded if I had been credited, but I felt compelled to message her.

She quickly replied, revealing that the poem had actually come from Josh. He had sent it to her while trying to impress her, and she thought it was cute enough to repost.

I was taken aback; I knew I wasn’t friends with Josh and that he could spin my inquiry into something absurd. I directed her to my page, and upon seeing my work, she apologized and offered to take it down. I appreciated her kindness, even though I told her it was fine. She decided to remove it anyway.

Since I feared Josh had somehow infiltrated my social circle, I opted to take my work down as well. The swirling emotions I experienced were confusing; I wasn’t particularly angry. When I reflected on it, I realized that it was somewhat flattering that people liked my work enough to repost it—except, of course, if it was Josh doing the taking.

The Next Day at School…

When I returned to school, I anticipated running into Josh, expecting him to unleash his bitterness on me for getting caught. I was right; my new friend informed me that she had told Josh to take down the stolen poetry and that she knew it wasn’t his.

She showed me his profile, and indeed, there were no posts featuring my writing. I felt immense gratitude toward her, and we quickly became friends. Although I didn’t post much anymore, she remained interested in my writing, providing support that I truly valued.

As for Josh, he never confronted me again. In fact, he started ignoring me, which I found quite liberating.

The Aftermath…

So, what is the life lesson I gleaned from this experience? It’s simple: Always be true to yourself and let your light shine. The individuals who make your life difficult often aren’t worth your time. If you stay resilient and true to your path, you’ll eventually attract those who uplift you and treat you with the respect you deserve.

Ironically, the would-be bully who tried to steal my work inadvertently helped me forge a lasting friendship.

P.S. Josh, if you’re reading this, please don’t take this piece! Time has passed, and I’m not sure I’d be as forgiving now. Just kidding! 😊

-Love and Light

J.J Ems

All support is greatly appreciated!

In this video titled "I Will Wait for You" by Official P4CM Poet Janette...IKZ, the essence of patience and love in relationships is beautifully illustrated, echoing the journey of self-discovery and resilience.

The song "Death of An Unpopular Poet" by Jimmy Buffett, directed by Delaney, captures the struggles of an artist, resonating with anyone who has faced adversity in their creative pursuits.