Sling Shot

This poem is based on two incidents that occurred in childhood. The first is a thing that happened to me when I was twelve. The second incident is something I did soon after because I did not want to be a boy who was tortured by other boys. I despise the shame both acts of violence continue to plant in the deep inside of me .

.....

..

Sling Shot


1.

It was a small cruelty measured against
the ovens and camps
of contextual time—but

I saw cold Nazi ice in their eyes
the instant before
the hot spear of a cigarette
burned into my arm—first

one branding
followed by another


2.

and then another.

I cannot escape the thicket
we wove ourselves into

throwing stones at Stephen
as he was walking home.

I took off my coat. I gave it to Paul.

I aimed at a puddle—
wanting to startle and to be cheered.

I threw a rock that ricocheted
into His temple.