Ode to Knees
Posted: 03 Jun 2016, 21:13
Ode to Knees
Their faces are scarred and wrinkled
like the faces of mobsters.
If anything their reckless
behavior of throwing themselves
like punches into someone's
groin
reinforces our negative
image of them.
They are rarely recalled
fondly.
At seven I threw myself
over the saddle of a bike
for the first time.
The street turned into choppy waters
and my bike foundered.
Pain shot through my knees
like arcing fireworks.
Yet my father encouraged me:
"Great job!" he shouted.
My knees were scarred tissue,
but he slung me on his shoulder
and we hiked back, our own parade.
My father whistled as my knees,
wounded heroes, came home.
Their faces are scarred and wrinkled
like the faces of mobsters.
If anything their reckless
behavior of throwing themselves
like punches into someone's
groin
reinforces our negative
image of them.
They are rarely recalled
fondly.
At seven I threw myself
over the saddle of a bike
for the first time.
The street turned into choppy waters
and my bike foundered.
Pain shot through my knees
like arcing fireworks.
Yet my father encouraged me:
"Great job!" he shouted.
My knees were scarred tissue,
but he slung me on his shoulder
and we hiked back, our own parade.
My father whistled as my knees,
wounded heroes, came home.