boys to men

the adventures of growing up
 
fluting feathers float
in the kitewind overhead
boys with wicked catapult
leave the poor birds dead
fish hooks on a boat
teasing kingfish, trout, and grunt
wriggly worms the sacrifice
village to be fed
 
fed cows chewing cud
in the shade of guango trees
egrets eating parasites
(gnats and ticks and fleas)  
drunk with bovine blood
girls defeating skipping ropes
with their vee-vap and run-out
skirts above their knees
 
knees and elbows bruised
boys spar with their chests exposed
shirt tails flying loose and wild
confidence bulldozed
passersby amused
six-pack not yet fully grown
boys-to-men blooms overnight
new life circumposed
 
© Copyright 2023 June 12
by Clyve A. Bowen♫