This Body Of Mine Poem by derrick foster

Tall of stature built sturdy thick like a truck
able to last for miles
mine a body made for sports
but it was closed to me not allowed
so i rejected it blocked it with imagination
replaced it with creativity left to my own devices
alone free retreated into fantasy, play and flights of fancy
the world of balls exclusionary yet public
My universe of make believe: a sanctuary, private
wiling away endless hours recreating, independent of bats,
goals, touch, downs, pucks, hoops, blades, free throws, scores, sneakers, and pins
never welcomed in exile, in distance, and in ignorance
discovering a different art, left alone to develop thick skin
examine inner parts, fighting cavalier boredom, riding turbulent time,
filling in spaces with unpopular thought caped in words, preoccupied in toys, utensils of my own making, utilizing hands, fashioning miniature friends from anything found:
plastic, paper, wire, cloth, swabs, tissue, cotton balls(unique dollies and interesting figures)
to substitute living companions the source of my rejection
pictures come clear when thoroughly examined closely
empowered, rendered as a whole complete through
lack of pressure, taunting weak teens escaping said critics
became the me i want to be appreciating things greater than sports
reading people and thoughts unlike jocks blinded in competition
I learned to debate with strong mind clear
Wisdom arrives early for free thinkers
Appreciation of body, simpler finer things
Imagination helped me swim to deeper ends
past shallow surfaces to parts hidden within
to see this body as large as is embraced strength with wide eyes
all wonderful gifts giv'n though no season pass, i compete on a higher level
Knowledge sweet making my own rules, learning to tackle
cereberally packed mentally sprinting past opponents
physically equipped a body so large amply providing menace rarely displayed
don't mess with him when first seen on second thought once heard
they reconsider confusedly assumptions made swiftly meet surprise and shock
not only built thick sturdy also graceful eloquent polite: gifts activated by imagination
creativity simple wise free of boredom, silence enjoyed
even when excluded in public spaces. this key to doors untapped
rare with yards of fields running backs won't touch
hoops of vision referees envy, goals in my mind eye always break ties
those who assume once seen thick sturdy as if built for sports
when they ask which do you play?
my answer: i do not.