out of the roll call
in high school basketball. None of
the girls picked me for their team. Those
girls are so mean. They walked around in cliques
and taunted me for kicks.

I'm left
out in the cold
so, I froze. I weep droplets
of ice that stick together like grains
of rice. As I blink you can skate
in my rink.

I’m left
out in the red sun
so, I burned. My body
turned from soft, fuzzy peach
to a black, slimy leech. They don't teach
you this in school
that the sun is not so cool.

I’m left
speechless
by the things men say
and do. I’d rather roam the foothills
with the elk and the ewe.

I’m left
holding the bag
by men, I put my trust in. Their
promises thin, blew as dust
in the wind.