with me into the 8th grade.

There was an uprising every night,
teeny tiny terrorists jumping
up from the carpet where I slept.

—Or were they drawn? Were they in
love, irresistibly attracted
to my body, pulled up
in the beam of my warmth?

No one else was in love
with me that fall. I wore

old clothes,

walked in the classroom
like a hanger holding up
my dad’s red winter jacket
that he got by turning in
cigarette UPCs.

I carried fleas in each pocket.

But I was at peace with the fleas
and with Heather O’Dell
who kicked my backpack
across the science classroom.
I had just signed my name
with the peacemaking Jesus
and my pledge to turn
the other cheek was so fresh
that it cut the sting of each slap
right away and I offered
everybody gum—

Cotton Candy Bubblicious.

It was almost too sweet,
but irresistible,

like me.

moves and removes