Figuring it out (v2)

[wasellajam]

Figuring it out

I was a lonely child, my dreams were wild
and dangerous: I’d read a Ranger Rick
about Brazil, and wake up wrestling
a hungry anaconda for my life.

When other children found me odd, I took it
as a compliment—Hello, they’d say,
and I’d recite the phases of the moon
or list the pros and cons of having toes.

When I told them the truth, adults would stare
at me, then laugh, embarrassed to remember
how they used to live in trees, how they liked to feel
the wind reach out and snatch their breath away—at first,
I was ashamed. I had no word for it. Later, I would learn
to call this rush of joy a joke.

past versions
Figuring it out


I was a lonely child, my dreams were wild
and dangerous: I’d read a Ranger Rick
about Brazil, and wake up wrestling
a hungry anaconda for my life.
When other children found me odd, I took it
as a compliment—“Hello,” they’d say,
and I’d recite a fact about the moon
or list the pros and cons of having toes.
Adults, when I told them the truth, would stare
at me, then laugh—later, I would learn
to call this rush of joy a joke. 

Hi mat, I like this poem and only have two quick comments. I don't think you need the comma after Brazil. I strongly prefer the previous version. For me the whole embarrassed /ashamed just muddies what for me was a clear and insightful conclusion, understanding the what and why of comedy. The Narrator could grow up to do standup.

Thanks for posting this.