Monkey Bars

Big black-haired bully
Always tugging at my shorts
Calling me the fag.

Little light-haired Lilly
Always tugging at my shirt
Calling me “it” for tag.

I don’t care.
I don’t go.

My hands curl around the metal bars
Legs rebound and provide a kick.
Atop the metal ladder I perch.

Quietly I scan my peer domain.
The sun pours down upon my reign.
Bully and Lilly have to look up to see me.
And I have my best friend’s hand on my knee.

The hour will pass,
Tommy’s got class,
I remain here a moment’s time.

I heard best friend sass,
Don’t ogle my ass
I claim, as king, it’s mine.

The bell rings
And my monkey bars are vacated.

September 13, 1999