That Kid

by Alan Tessaro

My brother’s kid
tells stupid jokes,
but when
you’re ten or eleven stupid
jokes are funny.

He plays soccer,
just like I bet
you do,
and teases girls because
that’s funny too,

to a kid ten or eleven.
He ain’t perfect, but
I guess
no kid is. I love
that kid. He has

so much potential,
like I bet you do.
But you,
kid, you got me
pointing my weapon

right at our soul.

Alan Tessaro is retired USAF and now teaches English at Spartanburg Community College, Spartanburg, SC.