Eight-Year-Old, Learning To Skate

Bully had a name But I've forgotten 1966 too long ago Remember what he did Pushed me on the ice For no apparent reason Chattering words of contempt He wanting to fight but I just walked away Couldn't see any point Thinking what's wrong with him Needing to hurt a stranger Limped my way home A knock on the door Two girls from school had seen it all Was I ok? Can we get you anything? You were so brave! That's when I learned The macho thing Was not really so attractive. (Previously published in Three Smiles, Fall 2000)