Kickball

by Matt Stoltz, 2006

It was during recess one October morning that I, in full confidence,
Decided: "Today I will play a game of kickball." Generally I don't;
I find the sport sordid & keep a distance. It is more in my nature,
or rather I have a strong proclivity, to play alone,
Along the outskirts sifting through dirt or kicking cans.
In spite of myself, this day I would settle for nothing less
Than an impassioned game of kickball. I awkwardly lumber over
To the field where fate is decided among small boys and girls;
they seem surprised, perhaps a little confused at my presence. In any case
There I stand, a kid among kids, while Ryan, a captain, chooses Tom.
Then Steve, the other captain fingered at Phoebe. Jill, Chucky, Suzy,
Danny, Mark…the names peel away; suffering piled on suffering I await
& it is not until the eighth round that I experience absolute rage:
Steve gives me a sideways look & then turns to Kelly. I am undone!
Cross-eyed Kelly? The cocksucker in training… I'll show Steve!
I grab Kelly, tuck her under my arm like a newspaper & make a dash
towards the parking lot. She pulls on my beard; the children begin weeping;
the teachers run after us; Kelly's face has grown blue and her tongue
hangs out like a long snake. She is dead now. I can run faster than them all.
You should have seen Steve's face as I dodge the men and women
who are trying to get me out before I reach home.