I have had stones thrown
At me by preschool toddlers
Fearful hate weaned insults hurled
Spitfire jagged rock covered snowballs
I mercifully forgave innocent guilt
Childhood on hold untold resentment
Turning blurry redeye otherwise cheek
Pockmarked outward dimples pushed inward
I have witnessed inhumane cruelty
Intolerable bullyrag abuse of powerlessness
Contaminated yogurt scummy layer rises
Churning better bitter batter butter
I have heard silent echoes
Reverberating harmony once dissonance removed
Bell clinger-clangers unlashed tongues twisted
Malice driven screws bent straight
I have kept time waiting
Stopwatch secondhand righting uncivil wrongs
Standstill moments midnight high noon
Becoming hours days years forevermore
I have unwisely grown old
Wilted downfall overturning new leaf
Bestowing future blossoming buds legacy
Seductively open to nurtured hope
No Holds Bard Dr. Charles Frederickson is one half of PoeArtry. Flutter Press has just published Charles’ new chapbook fanTHAIsies.
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