Epiphany Long After the Fact

Macadam prayers on bruised knees
a daily requiem. Desperate desire
to fit into the in. A galaxy away. Star
in teacher's eyes but dirt under
the fingernails of the disenchanted.

Smart kid with no street smarts.
So afraid to lose her glasses
that she couldn't see what was
right in front of her eyes. A fight
in seventh grade released far more
than years of pent-up rage. Too dumb
to be afraid any longer, took on the bully.
Fifty years later still bear the scars
of razor-honed dagger claws but more:
chance comment echoed over the miles.

Eons. Now I am cool, but they
still aren't smart. Asphalt nightmares vanquished.
Doesn't matter if I lost at dodgeball
or always struck out at bat. Long run?
I hit it out of the park.