Late Bloomer

The compliment in maturing
was to catch the eye
in later years,

the pudgy mid-teens
result in missed rites
and a head full of variations

An easy dismissal
that kind of boy
- polite and patient

The time would come
to be nourished in a woman's mercy
but raging hormones
did little to quell that eternity

Surrounded in potential
and lacking that quick charisma
(or maybe simply confidence)
to set the night on fire

But tonight, she recognized me
and I took full advantage.