''Blacktop Kiss'' By. Kevin Mireles Poem by kevin mireles

On a casual weekday,
with a gentle breeze
and somber sun,
strong-versus-weak
world of kickball
fields and blacktop,
I learn
of playground cruelty
from a face splat!

Strolling
from the equipment shed
to the
tether-ball ring,
careless
candy-thoughts
wandering
through my
elementary mind,
I make an oblivious
fatal turn
into the
Lafayette Lion's den,
a vicious pack
of unmerciful boys.

Push!
extended foot.
Falling,
yanked
from my lollipop
daydream.
Falling,
To my grammar
-school grave.
Smack!
Down.

Flushed
with a
thousand colors:
Crimson Fury,
Sapphire Pain,
Pink Humiliation;
Cackling swarm of echoes
as I kiss the ground,
gravel-lips.

Push-off
the asphalt
to rise
from the trauma,
stomach to knees-
knees to feet.
I never raise
my eyes
to behold
the teasing
crescent circle
of crooked teeth
encompassing.

The tears begin
to bundle up
behind my eyelids.
Run!
I can't
let them
see me cry.

Scampering away
across the blacktop
to the shade
of the shed,
a growing feeling
drenches my ego,
Revenge!
Not my ethics.
Swallow of pride,
I die a little.
No redemption.