When I was a kid,
I went to Red Sox
with my church.

I ate a hot dog,
and I had two more.

The reverend said
I had a hollow leg.

The kids laughed.
I asked what that meant.

Pasquale said,
It means you can eat a lot.

Fast forward.
I think that reverend
might be dead.

And I do have a hollow leg.
from too many kicks to the head.

Too many rocks jumped.
Too many miles walked.

There was a time
when I could jump
from rock to rock.

I was invincible.
I was 19.
I was manic.

Soon came the medicine.

A good memory.
A broken mind.
A bruised leg

Creaking like a door
that needs oiling.

 

Jason Wright is the editor and founder of Oddball Magazine. His column appears weekly. His third book, Train of Thought 2: Almost Home will be available soon. Support \The Michael Cherry Memorial 5K by clicking here.