Marcus Patterson Translation


“The Fury of Overshoes”

They hang in the cubbies,

outside the classroom,

one to every child despite their differences,

all with a hood.

Remember when you couldn’t put on your

raincoat

or button your own

shirt

or pour your own glass of milk

and tantrums

being thrown like rocks into the ocean

when you lost a game of

hide and seek?

Remember, little league,

When you couldn’t hit the ball

and were replaced

by a bigger and stronger kid?

You had control of nothing.

The world was a miniscule star in the sky.

A place only taller people could reach.

If you touched

other boys or girls

you would get the

cooties.

They made you pack up

your blanket

and your favorite teenage mutant ninja turtles shirt

and your sense of security.

Oh raincoat,

don’t you

remember me,

walking with you

in the pouring rain?

Oh blanket,

I need you for cover,

it is cold,

where is that star,

when will I reach it,

growing inch by inch

day by day,

and not relishing any of it?