Revulsion

PEAR keeps it rolling

Her name was Melanie, and then I thought
That I might cast a stronger, swarthy pose
By adding expletives and vulgar oaths
To what this proper 12-year-old had brought
To bear on manliness and swagger.

Her head was covered, and her simple clothes -
A homespun dress, with earthy hues - made contrast
With the patterned tie and collared shirt
My parish school required – and the shoes.
Regardless, we still shared a bus ride home,
Although we prayed to different Gods (it seemed).

I spoke to her just once before, (I tried)
But felt the warmth of interest
And embarrassment wash over
Fast enough to flog my tongue -
Enough to stifle anything of speech.

Suffice to say profanity was not the way
To gather admiration or catch eyes.

Her sentiment quite slithered over
Every pore of countenance she had
In silent but insidious display.


First, the eyes drew slowly into slits,
And then the chin fell off a little ledge,
Before the mouth popped open.
Just a moment before clamping –
Making lips diminish and then
Disappear.

Young Melanie made her revulsion clear
Without so much as one
Small syllable of sound. The upshot was

My 6th grade self was schooled by one
Small 5th grade girl who simply shared
A bus and her integrity with me.

In consequence, I learned a lesson
Never really taught but still instilled:
Some people might gain audience
With coarse expression or with curses
Thrown about confetti-like,

But I, did not maintain a carriage capable
Of carrying the weight of empty phrase
Made onerous by shock or ugly awe.

So much so that to this extended day,
While I may slip, and spit out
Language soap-worthy or worse –
I choose to keep it clean another way.