Shed

They used to take some of us

out back there when we were bad,

and whack us on our butts or wherever

so we could learn there were some

bad ideas we should shed.

They took us out back because they

couldn’t take the shame of us, and,

wanted to protect us from our shame.

We’ve all have to shed at least as much

as needed to fit in.

I learned the goal was to shed it all.

After the first few beatings, I didn’t really

need any more. I call the first few beatings

the first fourteen years of my life.

The more you hold on, the more

you will have to shed when you’re dead.