I Saw A Bully Today

I saw a bully today. He shouted and chased and abused.
He called names and compared a mother. He threw a rock.
He was relentless and creative. He was heartless and exuberant.
His words and hands were fast and heavy. He was good at what he did.
I saw a victim today. He was serene, patient as stone. A stolid young boy.
He was implacable in his course. Deaf to all the shouted jeers.
He heard the rock being picked up. He looked and ducked.
All the taunts and invective were heard and refused.

I yelled at a bully today. I had no hope of catching the turd.
Said I'd to follow him like a boogeyman. Cop threats rarely work.
I had my big stick in hand, as always. Cane with leather. Hollow threat.
I still look mean, I guess. He ran away screaming threats. I laughed at it a little.
I scared a victim today. I didn't mean to. He looked at me and walked faster.
He looked like the bully did: Scared of the big, loud man in the doorway.
I said 'you're all right kid. He's gone now.' But he kept his fast pace.
He looked back wary. I can't blame him. I too would be disturbed.

I saw myself years ago today. Throwing rocks and some pain.
The same pointless harassment. The same ugly, surly attitude.
An everyday occurrence for me. A typical activity. The little things.
Looking for someone to hurt. Just waiting to do something much meaner.
I saw what I had left behind today. The scared and scarred people I'd hurt.
Walking away while I threw the rocks. While I threw the anguish.
I made sure that those around me had to take time to heal.
Lust for their suffering raged like addiction in my veins.