Summer 1950s

I am eight and a burden
To my two elder sisters
Who have been forced by
Mom to take me
Along to the movies
In Belleville,
The old Lincoln and
State theaters.
We walk down Centerville
Road crossing Richland Creek
Then onto downtown all the
Way me asking why we have
To see Three Coins In The
Fountain when a cartoon
Collection is at the other
Theatre but they are adamant.
I am outvoted two to one plus
They are older getting to chose.
The movie strikes me as boring
As I am eight but they seem
To enjoy the film.
I sometimes think back to
Sitting through that movie
While my sisters enjoyed
Themselves and I was a bother
To them by my surliness and
Wonder at all the classes I have
Taught, lectures given, all the
Folks I have bored unaware of
My own boorishness then
Consider other times I have
Endured such imposition,
I think we are about even.
My goal is to not inflict myself
On folks and to be polite trying
To avoid this conduct in others.
We each so perceive our view
Of reality and are so blind
To the reality of others,
Like FOX-CNN-PBS-MSNBC
From left to right reversed all self
Righteously proclaiming their
Moderate position piling up
Nonsense calling it journalism.
My sisters and I walk home from
Our movie exploring as we go
Back up Centerville Avenue to
Our house on a hill each
Having experienced our own
Version of events
Our own view of
Reality struggling
To gain consensus
With me
Our numbered
But fighting
To the end.
My sisters
Were saints
Not to toss
Me into
Richland Creek.