STICKS & STONES

Born in uncertain times,
WWII in the early 40s,
Mommy and Daddy,
Proud, yet scared.

Precious baby boy,
Loving, loving boy.
Blue eyes – observing and absorbing.
Little features, virgin lips.
"Mama" first word, "Mama."

Born in uncertain times,
Vietnam in the early 60s,
Mommy and Daddy,
Proud yet scared.
I have brown eyes,
I'm precious too.

CAN BREAK YOUR BONES

Early 1990s, Red Rooster near campus.
Brown-eyed college boy,
Reclined in a chair.
Blue-eyed barber,
Scissors clip clip clip.

Two military veterans bonding, bullshitting,
One about the 60s.
One about the 80s.

We finish the cut,
We finish the talk,
Swivel chair – face the mirror.

BUT WORDS

Blue eyes meet brown eyes
He starts to speak,
"How's the cut?" I'm thinking he'll ask.

Instead
I
Hear
The Question:

"I gotta hand it to you, you speak English real good. How long ya been in this country?"

The Question.
Down two blocks from
Sacred Heart
Where a frightened teenager:
Girl – White.
Gave birth to a beautiful baby:
Boy – Brown.

True story.
Hurtful story.

CAN NEVER HURT YOU

Stupid-ass advice.