Scarcely reprimanded, even then, yes, innocent,
humiliation’s seething lashes, by ever-loving parents,
though some I admit warranted, but as summers passed,
I learned to stand even when it bubbled flesh, and then
how to avoid it, return its singe, or finally, lather in its flames,
which helped when coaches abused their profession
and I emerged ripened from their untempered furnace,
though my insides were volcanic, magma soon hardened,
which culminated in a hotel lobby for a party, and I lost interest,
chest slapped, let’s walk, I said no, there’s a couch,let’s sit,
he said, what’s the matter with you, and I said,
I abandoned this madness, what about you? He said,
I can be myself again, so I said, then, it is clear the flower stunted,
but I enjoy this conversation, then he recommended presence,
and I thought, be where your eyes gaze, I noticed yours stranded,
then, how his humble selflessness is most prudent, so I questioned,
if I have to give you oxygen, how am I to burn?