AUDIENCE SONG STORIES: BULLIED, OVERCOME AND OVERCOMING THIS

15 September, 2020

I felt torn, hurt, upset and like I didn’t want to be on earth anymore

Your name-calling and wicked ways once brought me to my knees,
You left scaring and bruises and took the life out of me.
My tears flowed, my heart hurt, you took me to a deep dark place,
Where my surrounds were falling down and I didn’t want to breathe, you trapped me in your space…………. and thought it was okay.

I am me, a young girl with a loving heart

You used that to your advantage and tried to make me fall apart, by sending me into darkness.
but here’s where your party would stop, I de-part-ed.

My wounds are healing, I’m escaping the torment, you left within me,
My whakapapa grounds me and flows through me freely.
I’m calling them in, in within, from a sacred place of my being, HAERE MAI! I call you in!

My whanau, my tupuna at the helm, to protect my mind, body, heart and soul

keep me breathing,
my heart beating.
My light shining
I call you in, can you hear me?! I need you to spare me.

You can call me names and play your games
And I’d still accept YOU,
for I have been taught, to have no doubt, within myself.
Instead I’ll be kind and caring to you.

If my voice could be heard (KARANGA MAI)

I’d share it for fellow rangatahi,
Turn the pain into gain, so no more lives are shaken and taken.
We are children of the land, who need a helping hand.
So hold your hand out, build us up and help us fulfill our kete.

Aliyah Connelly-Richards

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A story from one of our youngest entries gave way to creativity. Aliyah’s words put to music by songwriter Steve Tofa. Her story takes flight and shines a light on bullying and wounds healing. Whakarongomai ki te tangi o te waiata hōhonu… ahakoa he iti he pounamu.

Audience Song is a collective of songwriters who compose songs inspired by stories that speak of overcoming the challenges and adversities in our fast-changing world.

FOLLOW THE SONGWRITER:
Steve Tofa on Facebook
Steve Tofa on Instagram

AUDIENCE SONG is a project by Song Conversations

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