Monday, February 23, 2009

Bulletproof Vest

This was written for a student...


She watched him from a corner of the room –

head down, pen in hand,

eyes trying to remain focused on the

paper in front of him –

struggling –

forever struggling.

At sixteen,

he had seen his share of trouble –

drugs,

family difficulties,

problems with the police…

but from their private conversations,

she understood his rebellious spirit…

he sought permanence –

permanence in a world where

nothing endures except change.

For a brief moment, he looked up

and their eyes met. He gave her that

cocky grin – the one that used to make

her want to smack the hell out of him…

but she smiled in return,

for she was wiser now.

Because when you live in a world

where change has been the only

constant in life,

you more often than not

cling to your armor –

cocky grin no exception.

2 comments:

Jerry Pat Bolton said...

Why, as I read this poem I was thinking of myself. Only in my situation I was thinking of change, I'd had all the permanence I could handle at the time

Beautifully written. Powerfully stated. Understandingly of the human capacity for rebellion in whatever form it takes.

Joyce M Bell said...

THERE IS ALWAYS A REASON...FOR THOSE ANNOYING LITTLE ANTICS OF OTHERS THAT IRRITATE US AND ARE SO OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD. IT TAKES THE LOVE OF TEACHING AND AN ACQUIRED TOLERANCE TO SEEK OUT THE REASON FOR IT. I AM SURE, THE UNDERSTANDING SMILE...MUST HAVE WORKED WONDERS...FOR THE BOTH OF YOU. THIS IS A WONDERFUL WORK WITH A STRONG MESSAGE.