My blond hair suddenly darkened,
An erupting doo of pubescent frizz…
I hated every physical feature
That demonstrated what reality is.
I spent half a summer vacation,
Not leaving the station wagon…
Intent on listing all my bad faults,
Only cured by double head baggin’.
People in swim suits on the beach,
Ignored me cupping my fat nose,
And my high top Converse tennis shoes,
Concealing fat ankles and short toes.
My father condemned me as selfish,
Aware I was faulting his genes…
Of course I was unsympathetic,
I knew the pain such ugliness brings.
Fast forward sixty years later,
My idols, now gargoyles in France…
Or employees at the local Wal-mart;
Ringing up my still same-sized pants.
Your self esteem must have taken a powerful hit. You look 100% perfect in the picture.
ReplyDeleteYes puberty was a hair raising experience! I stole that line from Johnny Carson. I sure miss him.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lorene. You were adorable! Ah, but that self-image. . . and I think you hit the nail on the head with the line about your father. Love these little rhyming bits of wisdom, Mike!
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