Where Boys Walk

Fist clenched, 

Forearm flexed, 

Raised above, hovering,

Before down the hit. 

Cringed below, a boy child’s 

Dread,

And fear.  And Humiliation.

Again.

Hands, kind, reach, 

Stretch, pat on’a back, 

Rest on’a shoulder,

A smile, a nod, he said “good job.”

Eyes open, breath released, hope.

Courage, 

And will. And defiance.

Indomitable.

And between the two places

Boys walk

Back and forth, to and fro

And despite it all, 

Somehow grow.