Oho

Teen Boy

OHO

You are like no other dog

With your facial expressions so salt and pepper

Complete with eyebrows and a full beard

And when we kick it,

You evaporate all my fears

You are so brave

And fascinated with your surroundings

You will never let me down

Even if no one is home

I am never alone

Because you’re my best friend ever,

Oho.

 Published in Because I Wanted to Be Loved,  January 2009.

I Remember

Teen Boy

I REMEMBER

I remember

My home-boy on the pavement

Bleeding.

The paramedics checking him

He wasn’t breathing.

The shots rang out

He didn’t hit the deck

Stood there like a soldier

Took three slugs to the chest

I remember

His family crying

The cops asked me who did it

Said I didn’t know.

I was lying.

I remember

Growing up rough

Hearing babies crying

Everywhere I look

Another person dying.

Remembered

Teen Boy

REMEMBERED

When I die, how will people think of me with the life I lead now? Will they think I was smart or stupid for all the things I did? Will they think I was kind or mean for getting into fights? Will they think I was funny or were they just laughing at me for being dumb? Will I be missed or will I be forgotten? How will I be remembered? 

Published in Call It Courage, August 2006.