Bully

First day fake friendWith the knuckle-Crusher handshakeMaking new kids

Buckle pleadingBy the bus stop:Art Class vandal,Safety scissors

Leaving jackknife-Streaks on Andy’sWeekslong Van Gogh(Oddly savvy,

Though, when sneeringJust be glad IDidn’t slash yourEar off for you):

Rubber cementBooger-flicker,Aiming alwaysAt our terror

Eyes: Touch-footballBlindside tacklerOn the recessBlacktop, cackling

At my swiftlySwelling ankle. . . By some just asHuman impulse,

Paul “the Mauler”Miller pulled meUp and crutched meOn his shoulder

To the nurse’sOffice; next day,Called me shitskinLike before; the

Next night, one nightShort of summer,Hunkered in aCrawl space while his

Former jarheadFather roundedOn his familyWith a legal

Handgun, startingAt the upstairsCrib and endingIn the basement,

Sparing onlyTwo belovedDobermans outBack on chokechains.