South African Schoolgirl’s Poem On Being A Bystander to Bullying Goes Viral

A poem written by a 12-year-old Herschel Girls’ School learner, Nina Tsinonis, is going viral since her mom, Amanda, posted it on Facebook. Parenting groups have been sharing the poem – about being a bystander to bullying – and mothers have been reading it with their school-going children… because of the poignant and powerful message it conveys, particularly in the wake of the suicide death of Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett in Australia, which has made international headlines and stirred conversation around the world about bullying.

The 14-year-old Australian was well known in the nation after becoming the face of Akubra hats. On 3 January 2018 she ended her life after being the target of a relentless online bullying campaign.

After reading Nina’s poem – ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ – one mom said: “Wow, I just read that to my little gals. They loved the poem. Brilliant… So, so meaningful currently, as one of their old school friends from Warwick [in Australia] aged 14 has just [died by] suicide, as she was bullied, and ignored, so sad.”

Nina – who starts Grade 8 tomorrow – wrote the poem in Grade 7. It’s a compassionate message about not being a bystander, and is not based on any real life event. (Herschel has an anti-bully culture.)

Nina told SAPeople that as she prepares for High School, she wanted to share it because “I want other people to know that if we stand by and say nothing when others are bullied or treated unkindly, that we are as guilty. Despite our fear of speaking out, we must because you never know what other people are going through…”

Maybe Tomorrow – by Nina Tsinonis

There was this girl in my grade
Her smile would always quietly fade
She sat unnoticed in the back row
Maybe tomorrow I’ll say hello

There was this girl at whom everybody laughed
She was a bit quirky, but she had a good heart
Today she got pushed by a girl in class
Maybe tomorrow I won’t just gasp

There was this girl who was bullied in our chat group
I read those messages, I was also in that loop
I never said a word, even though they were so unkind
Maybe tomorrow the courage I’ll find

There was this girl who saw I felt bad
When all those girl’s made her feel sad
She sat alone during lunch today
Maybe tomorrow “come join us” I’ll say

There was this girl who is no longer at school
Rumour has it, because her father was cruel
Our teacher was quiet and did not say
Why did I think of tomorrow, when it could have been TODAY!

By Nina Tsinonis

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If you are feeling sad, frustrated or lonely, please contact SADAG (South African Depression & Anxiety Group). You can find a Support Group in your area by calling 0800 21 22 23.