Dalani Warner

Kids are Cruel I was an ugly girl I sat with the ugly people In the front of the school bus Dark hair and dark eyes Threatening to taint the sea of pale So to the front of the bus I sat Heavy backpack, corduroy pants Next to the Arab girl Who was obsessed with Madonna "What a pair," a pretty boy said Peering at us, snickering Glasses and books Studious and talented It doesn't matter on the schoolbus Kids still threw gum at our hair Whispers behind our backs Laughter and dirty looks Wadded up homework papers Aimed at our heads But we sat facing forward In our own world Ignoring the ignorance That surrounded us Antagonized, ostracized Kids are cruel Eventually they moved on And teased other kids My Arab friend moved away Years passed and I blossomed I teased the boys Led them on And held out Because it's something I learned On the school bus It's the way of school life Kids are cruel It's my turn. (c) Dalani Warner 2002