Outward slovenly appearance bespeaks volumes
wordsworth their weight in gold
(exhumed from the pith
of these lovely bones -
beclothed with mottled skin)
presages afterlife of hellish horror
(think Dante's inferno),
nevertheless a respite from earthly torture
wracking mein kampf since conception.

I lived without great expectations
diploid on an impossible mission
set in motion courtesy
triggered pleasure zones,
when natural propensity toward mortality
yielded mutual intense
or paroxysmal excitement
after unbridled love making
between then young parents of mine
approximately circa early/mid April
nineteen hundred and fifty eight.

Begot upon initial cleavage of two gametes
genetic fate decreed upon yours truly,
when nine months later a scrawny boy
traversed thru the birth canal uneventfully
into the hands of waiting obstetrician.

Mother placed me near her bosom,
where I busted thru ample cleavage
nursed courtesy milk of human kindness
until she became high and dry
pacified scraggly baby,
who screamed at the top of his little lungs
possibly linked to submucous palate
split uvula - diagnosed years later
by specialist at Lancaster Cleft palate clinic.

Severe nasality as Aladdin in grade school
linkedin with extreme introvertedness
grist for the role as scapegoat
bully me pronounced
major inferiority complex prevailed.

Suicidal ideation throve
as unhealthy psychological bumper crop:
I cared not a whit for mine body, mind, and soul
negligent hygienic habits - unkempt appearance
abhorred cleanliness, greaseball outlier
videlicet witnessed infrequent visits
to bathing or showering facilities
let hair grow long and ratty, and shaggy
passive aggressive stance
toward family of origin members
sought refuge in mine bedroom
remained metaphorically hermetically sealed
until emerging adulthood
entrenched, fixated, and glued
to aforementioned behavioral traits.

Challenged, piqued, and
tested and tried patience of parents
passed their threshold of tolerance.

Overstayed welcome at 324 Level Road
at the receiving end of hollow ultimatums
browbeaten courtesy damning epithets
fueled glowering hatred, issuing kickass
brickbats, out the mouths of mommy dearest or
papa, silently internalized their vicious wrath.

Smoldering rage within me tamped down
as brilliant comeuppance

did not visit mother on her deathbed,

nevertheless wept profusely

while wailing "I love you" over the telephone,
and every May fourth -

since two thousand and five

crafted commemorative poems,

she always asked

for written acknowledgement

at the least remembering her birthday -

November thirteenth -

from second born and singular son.

 

No escape from

being called oppressive scatological names,
neither at home nor at school,
and including riding the bus

brutal, short and nasty invectives

assaulted my sensitive eardrums

of course with futility

impossible mission to deflect

blacked banal barbs,

whether besieging me

 

from so called wonderful,

albeit infuriated parents

continually wounding mine ego,
which pride of self never robust

subsequently such regular

(unleaded) cruelty outsourced to every ogre
witnessed an aggrieved boy

silently pained courtesy

whiplash of words accosting consciousness

submissively accepting battering

 

haranguing, poisoning, stinging
standing stockstill
forbearance vetting psyche,
the tragedy exhibited

by stoic facade and charade

generating absolute zero responsiveness
from an introverted

anxiety plagued youngster,
who grew up emotionally,

physically and spiritually stunted

scratching out pathetic poetry.