Write about a minor villan in your childhood - a grumpy neighbor, someone at church that always yelled at you for running in the Narthex, a grandma or grandpa that was strict with table-manners, someone that you saw from your kid point of view and thought that they were out of touch. Use your compassion and adult point of view to understand their perspective. Think Mr. Wilson from Dennis the Menace or the weekly unmasked crooks from Scooby-doo. Someone that was "mean", but in hindsight, had another story to tell.
“Herbie”
ReplyDeleteLife had moved with a disjointed gate.
His twelve year old hormones raged.
Flannel shirts, pocket protectors, crew-cut pate,
New school, again, find new friends, challenge waged.
This new school, one campus for twelve grades,
Not large, a rural student clientele filled up halls,
Buses transported most students safely, no switch-blades.
Newcomers, a minority, made their way within the walls.
Playground pecking order established with brutal force.
Older students seeking targets amongst the young.
Swaggering toughs, young bulls in the herd, set the course.
Scope-out susceptible, nickname them, knock them down a rung.
“Hey, Herbie, don’t you know how to dress?”
“Your mom’s got no clue what looks best!”
“Those glasses of yours, ugly, tell me true, confess.”
“Don’t play silent with me. I’ll beat you so you can’t rest.”
All fall, recesses, the worst time of the day.
Herbie, his stalker, punched shoulders, stabbing pain.
Bus rides went fine, once they got on their way.
Getting safely through the hazing, against fear, disdain.
Fall ticked by, few friends gathered ‘round to ease the struggle.
Herbie kept the situation to himself, didn’t parents involve.
Shoulder muscles aching, prayers for peace, into sleep he’d snuggle.
His nemesis would persecute him, scenario did devolve.
Boy’s intermural basketball teams were posted.
Herbie’s parents encouraged him to give it a try.
Organized by neighborhoods, family cars each team hosted.
Twice a week practices required each team to comply.
Suddenly, the antagonists were reframed, same team.
To win they would have to share the ball on the court.
They learned to encourage each other, drive the seam.
Nickname “Herbie” evaporated, the hateful season, short.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
17.3.13