Joe Grieco

THE TALENT SHOW

Remember that recess in second grade?

You hung by your knees on the monkey bars?

The skirt part of your uniform turned topsy-turvy, upside down

Your hem half-hiding little flower petals parading across your eyes

Your hair dangle-dancing like puppet legs with ribbon shoes

When you were rocking back and forth, your lunch money fell on the asphalt

I picked up the coins and waited the end of your talent show

I put in your hand the 35 cents

Pretending never to notice you forgot

To wear underpants that day