People are now wondering about where they may fit into your picture, and I have to thank you for bringing to life a few old memories. I'm afraid I am a "Bernadette" !
This is what came to mind (along the beach) after I read your story and heard that lovely voice of Barbara Dickson.
( From the start, I want you to know that I know; I am no longer the kind little boy, that perhaps I once was. )
crying by the court
I didn’t know his name
he was new to school today
and in my grade 5 class
and he just stood there crying
sobbing wet
leaning against the wall
of the hand-ball court
while most of my class-mates
teased and taunted;
tormenting him.
I watched for some time,
confused.
What pleasure
did they get from this?
Why did he care what these kids thought?
Why did he just lean there,
caring ?
Why not walk away;
or belt some-one?
I left the line
where we all waited
for our turn on court;
the siren went
and as I put my arm around his shoulder
and we turned for class
I said, gently,
“Don’t worry about them,
come with me.”
And he did.
His name was Robert
and I thought he looked like a monkey,
as every-one else did
and that scream of “Monkey Face!”
was their taunt.
I thought that maybe he was from Africa
or some jungle in South America
or New Guinea
or some exciting location, near Tarzan
or Jungle Jim;
but he was only Italian.
About twenty years later
in a pub not far from where I worked
a very tall man came up to me
and placed his big arm on my shoulder
and enquired
“Remember me ?”
I replied. No.
He continued,
“I am Steven, Steve,
grade 5, remember ?
I remember you Mat,
you were always putting us under your wing
when we needed comfort and I want to thank you.”
I thought it odd that this huge guy
ever needed me.
I remembered him, then.
A big awkward kid with no co-ordination,
quiet and a bit on the outer,
neither sort-after nor avoided;
just there!
...and here he was, now,
full of beaming smiles,
personality and thankful acknowledgements;
bigger than ever!
I thanked him for enlightening me
that once upon a childhood
I was caring and compassionate.
He bought me a beer,
put that big arm back around me
and told me of his happy life.
I felt good
as we soared back
to that little boy with wings.
MatmephistowingsbbgJ
