August 2016
I edit Muddy River Poetry Review, publish Muddy River Books and review for Boston Small Press and Poetry Scene. I have authored two volumes of poetry and one chapbook. I am (finally) retiring this summer and will devote my time to reading and writing poetry. I live in Chestnut Hill, MA with my wife Susan J. Dechter.
The Chili Man Never Forgets
The Chili Man never forgets
remembers that lunch in the
cafeteria of University City
High School, remembers the
long table, students seated
side by side, next to a friend
if possible
Some students brought their
own lunch, often peanut butter
and jelly, but Chili Man bought
a plate of chili that day, desert
and a drink, walking with it all
on a tray, the tray over my head
as he walked and someone said
something that made me jump up
my head hitting the bottom of the
tray Chili Man carried, the chili
on his plate flipping up landing
on Chili Man, everyone laughing,
Chili Man scooping it off his shirt,
patting it on someone else and
vice versa before Chili Man remembered
who caused the chili to land on him,
but my feet were already moving when
I saw the look on his face: eyes narrow,
the arms reaching out for me, I pushed a
chair over so he had to hurdle it or go
around, giving me the seconds I needed
for a head start, he getting even angrier
because most of the students in the cafeteria
were laughing, and oh how I ran, Chili Man
never had a chance to catch me and fifty
years later at the high school reunion he said
I would have killed you if I did catch you but
we laughed about what had seemed like a life
changing event and now, just a joke between
Chili Man and me
High School Reunion
High school reunions are like old
timers games, some of the players
you cannot recognize but you
applaud when you hear the name
They are not now like they were in the
old days and the hair is turning – or has
turned – gray and most of them cannot
move like they used to
They say You look great! then later they are
sad that you are not what – or who – you used
to be, and you wish you were not at the reunion
because they are not who – or what – they used to be
©2016 Zvi A. Sesling
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