1
Yells came from the bedroom
Five kids birthed from home
And I’m sorry to my siblings
But the youngest takes the throne
2
Terrible twos
Damn right terrible twos
Terribly cute
Terribly awesome
Terribly dropped on my head
by a shirley-templed-ten-year-old-ginger.
3
A cute toddler I was
A cute boy, indeed
Oh how my mother wished
That I always stayed three
4
Mommy’s belly getting bigger
She must eat lots of dinner
Little did i know
That belly was my sister
5
Hook lunch box
Ninja turtle shoes
Swaggin’ through the class
Which girlfriend should I choose?
6
Barney is for kids
And I’m a big boy
Rugrats is where it’s at
And G.I. JOES are the toy
7
There was Mr. Nutter Butter
There was Ms. Morning Glory
Both of which were not me
My nickname was Italian, you see
Just call me Marty
AKA Mr. Macaroni
8
Bikes with no helmets
Pre-teen jumps with asphalt landings
A dream of being one of the big kids
I’m on top of the world!
…
Vintage phones ring in my head
Brother says it’s gonna be okay
Blood-filled hands reveal my forehead
The friendly neighbor rides home in fear
My barefooted mom sprints to the street
Panicked in motherly love
I tell her I want to sleep
And scream, “I don’t want to get stitches!”
9
Shall I compare to Dennis the Menace?
Thou blowst the cowlicks in thy bleach blond hair
Keeping clean the OCD hygienist
As thy wrist-rocket fires rocks through thee air
10
Football for lunch
Soccer for dinner
Eat as much as you want
You’ll always be thinner
11
Teaches says I’m the red corvette
Classmates speeding with no threat
As she sends me outside with the ticket
The weather's great... so you can stick it!
Cleverness brews in the sun
Have fun in history—it isn’t fun
After the jokes I was adored
After all, good grades can’t be ignored
12
Kids teasing others to make a name
They reach me to find words are my game
Try if you must; you will not succeed
My shit-talking will far from proceed
Verbal calluses crawl the ladder
Kids love quick-talkers who can flatter
Smart-asses who were nice to the other
Always be kind was the rule from my mother
13
Soccer was my game
Skills were on the rise
Center forward brought me fame
The result when someone tries
14
Middle school tactics are futile
The playground used to be mine
But now I’m a freshman
So back of the line!
15
Sophomore year
Less of a time—more of a blur
Easy classes when the system is pie
Maybe I’m smart
Or maybe the teachers don’t try
16
$700 and it’s mine from my sister
A 1992 Saturn SL2, mister
Blast the fugees in the parking lot
Turn down the Warren G—don’t get caught
Pioneer speakers with two twelves in the back
The plastic died a thousand times from a rattle attack
Ladies around? No need to worry
Throw on some Jack Johnson
They’ll be yours in a hurry
17
So close to my reach
Yet too far for my grasp
The one that got away
But what never happened can never last
18
High school was their time to shine
I enjoyed the ride but it wasn’t mine
So it’s hello dorms, hello fun
Hello coke mixed with rum
Hello books, hello study
Hello college, buddy!
19
I saw London
I saw France
I even went to Spain to dance
And then there was Amsterdam
Oh, and Belgium
20
Getting texts at my party
Reporting me
Telling me
About beer pong down the street
Can I make it?
Damn right
Let me hop on my bike
Specialized Allez
With no reflector light
21
Throw this chocolate to the ants
For they can feast on misfortune
A sweet cherry dipped in bitter chocolate
The worst truffle I ever ate
22
Doubt casts over the tropics
And coconuts pure the mind
As I debate life’s topics
And what to do with mine
Water and sun for plants
A career and food for me
Uncertainty hacked away
Ad school is my machete
23
Steamed milk, foam on top
Baristas scared of it, but I’m not
Soon as I start to steam look at the smiley faces
When my cap hits your lips make your knees shake
Foam inside, nice and steamy
Ladies love my cap, they say it’s creamy
And I temp the perfect level
Got baristas checking foam they getting mad 'cus mine is better
Hear my boss complain but there’s nothing I can tell him
Just made a latte got a cappuccino on my schedule
Much love for cappuccino art
Semi-dri ----- cap for John!
24
Hide my writing on the subway
If I write illegibly they’ll look away
Stop looking at my writing, I write
Let my words speak to their eyes
Yet the stranger stays engaged
25
8 to 10 is the life for me!
And dinner is best when it’s free!
8 to 10 is the life for me?
And dinner best when it’s free?
26
Working on a cool account?
Hey, this is fun!
Working on a bad account?
Man, this is...
27
Vodka chased with conversation
Pierogies and sour cream
Tuned to the borsch station
There’s zurek in my dream
Wake up in America
There’s not borsch in sight
Best go back to sleep
And feast throughout the night
28
Wings spread to New York
The nest calls me home
Hello, San Francisco
A familiar city to roam
29
Eight-balls rattle in my head
Break after break after break
Dead stroke keeps the pockets fed
There’s nothing I can’t make
Bobby Fischer at the table
Mind games with the drunks
A nice buzz so I’m able
Checkmate, chumps
30
A wise man wished to live deliberately
I wish to live to see
So, see you later…
A backpack and nothing but time
The world is my oyster until my last dime.
Was worth it, depends who you ask
Quitting is a jump with ripples that last.
31
Back to the big apple
In an orchard plush with trees
The rats in the race try to pick one
Oh, the taste is so sweet
32
Three and two
Not my favorite one
I’ll finish in a few months
When this pandemic is done