Being big is not easy.
\nBeing small is not easy.
\nLife ruins us.
\nMakes our feet flat.
\nCuts our hands.
\nBecomes a habit
\nand compels us to eat
\ntoo much,
\nand say no to peace,
\nuntil a light appears,
\na swagger,
\na confidence
\nthat charms us into submission.<\/p>\n
So it was
\nwhen Jackie came in the room.
\nA smile of maturity
\non his three-year-old face.
\nArrival.
\nMan about town.
\nHands in his pockets,
\nin his red trousers.
\nNonchalance.
\nNotice my hands,
\nhis appearance said.
\nI\u2019m a big kid now.
\nI\u2019ve arrived.
\nHe took his hands out
\nand put them in.
\nPeeking from the sides of his eyes,
\nI\u2019m cool Papa, they said.
\nInviting my approval.<\/p>\n
Solemnly I asked,
\nwhat are you doing Jackie?
\nHands in your pockets?
\n\u201cYeah,\u201d he replied, walking past.
\nBig kid.
\nOne of the gang.
\nI was charmed, impressed.
\nBeing little is not easy I thought,
\nexcept for Jackie
\nwho was big now,
\non his way.
\nBeing big is not easy I thought,
\nunless you know Jackie,
\nand how to be cool.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Being big is not easy. Being small is not easy. Life ruins us. Makes our feet flat. Cuts our hands. Becomes a habit and compels…<\/p>\n