It’s difficult to pick which Shane Koyczan poem I love the most, but “To This Day” sits on top of the pile along with “Heaven, or Whatever.”

As a parent, bullying worries me. How can you protect your child when you’re not around? Especially when you know how cruel others can be. Especially if you were the one who was picked last or picked on. Shoved against walls and lockers. Had their possessions stolen because you lacked the physical strength to fight back.

Enjoy.

She was eight years old
Our first day of grade three
When she got called ugly
We both got moved to the back of the class
So we would stop get bombarded by spit balls
But the school halls were a battleground
Where we found ourselves outnumbered day after wretched day
We used to stay inside for recess
Because outside was worse
Outside we’d have to rehearse running away
Or learn to stay still like statues giving no clues that we were there
In grade five they taped a sign to her desk
That read beware of dog

from To This Day