he had no arms, but just like his worth
he had them hidden, up under his t-shirt.
his lips quivering with, 'ma'am, ain't
got no money. can i have a cup of coffee.'

a cold wind had chased him into my world
and i needed to introduce him to my mama
so he could eat a good meal, belch
and then go outside and play ball.

maybe a day in the 5th grade would help
like it did me, when janice claimed me
to be her knight, her armour of shine
as i slayed the dragons of semicolons.

coach guzman would call him 'mighty might'
and i'd have to get a new nickname, but
that wouldn't be so bad, i'd be maggie
or lil morgan, still be miss thomas' pet.

maybe mr. zimmerman'd catch him cutting class
and spank him instead of me and then
his mama would have to be embarassed, not mine.
and i'd still be everybody's favorite.

he should be left here though, this morning;
it's cold, windy and the fifth grade is long,
especially on an aging man deep into his 40s
and barely able to hold the 8 ozs. hot coffee,

much less able to hold the new life i've made.

05/03/2008

Posted on 05/03/2008
Copyright © 2026 Charlie Morgan