Poetry: Trolls

I wrote this today in light of the trolling we’d received at the beginning of the week. I hope it resonates, and just know, we won’t stop fighting for transgender people, or anyone who is bullied or treated badly because they are deemed ‘different’. We’ve got your back…

 

Trolls

You don’t live under a bridge,

and you don’t have a smidge of regret

as you tap-tap-tap-tap away,

each and every unfilled day.

Words spill from your fingertips,

you lick your lips with sweet satisfaction

as they materialise on the screen,

your face unseen.

Do you believe the words you type?

You’re a viper sucking the life

from those you’ve never met.

And we’re caught in your vicious net

of hatred and spite.

Your victims can’t sleep at night,

they cry,

they whimper,

no sympathy from you…

They ask you to stop,

they beg for respite,

but you stay

and prey on their differences…

and their world grows darker.

No sparks of joy or laughter –

you’ve snuffed it out.

Without doubt, you have bled your victims dry.

They’re way past crying now –

bottled pills,

tall bridges,

a warm bath,

a knife…

You don’t value their life,

and now,

neither do they.

Are you proud of the pain you cause?

Are you happy when lives are cut short?

Does it feel good to hide behind a screen?

Whilst those you torment disappear,

one

by

one

We can’t turn you into a fairytale,

we can’t giggle and jump,

as we confront you.

We’re not scared bleating goats ready to pass you by,

you lurk in the dark corners of our minds…

And we’ll always struggle to fight

the words,

unheard,

but read,

on tablets and phones and screens…

And you’ll never fully see

the pain you cause,

the hatred you spread,

the ones that are…

dead.

And we’ll never see you,

never get the chance to stop you in your tracks,

because

you don’t live under a bridge…

You live behind a screen

offering attack

after attack

after attack.

Well, guess what?

We’ve had enough of that.

It’s time to fight back.

We’re not going to stop,

we’re not going to give in,

we’re going to fight the fight of love,

with allies by our side,

and we’re going to win.