In YOUth

A child alone yet never lone

A spirit quashed before could hone

An intellect mocked and bemoaned

But in the world, seemed fine.

~

Injured, broken, damaged, scared

I let few know, I rarely dared

What consequence, when tempers flared

Hurt, pain, no obvious sign.

~

I lost myself before I grew

Then sought to find that self in you

Safety, peace, my soul renew

A chance, who knew? was mine.

~

Into your shelter I would steal

Your faith my inner self revealed

I learned love, kind and gentle, real

My light, you lit. I shined.

~

Into the world I then could go

My growing sense of self aglow

With confidence and certainty know

I was, I AM, divine.

501s

Did your dad where Levi’s 501s?

You know,

The original shrink-to-fit?

Big Frye boots.

Little man syndrome.

Big voice.

Little confidence.

Big mouth.

Little mind.

Heart?

Buried in fear and sorrow and pain.

Pain…

Stitches from a bar brawl.

Broken hand busting son.

Sore shoulder from swinging

The Belt.

“Thwack!” — “Thwack!” — “Thwack!”

It slaps through the loops

of the 501′s

every night

when he’s had way too much to drink

and comes storming…staggering… down the hall

because you and your sister are talking.

I cry before he gets there, knowing what will be.

Que sera, sera.

Whatever will be will be.

Did your dad wear 501′s?

I understand.