Shane was sitting in the bleachers when an errant soccer ball smashed him in the choppers, breaking his new bridgework. "The force of those balls going across the gymnasium, especially thrown by middle school students, could be quite strong."

I am among the quickest and the weakest

And I can say without hesitation

That nothing prepares you

For an algebra exam

Quite like a half dozen

Pimply, half-erect

Sweating boys

In yellow short

Shorts lunging

Red rubber balls

But this time one hits

Sanders’ groin

Bending him at knees

Before dropping him.

After losing, Shane Deluca

Beats him to tears with his tennis shoe

While everyone watches

It rise over the lockers and
Listens for the sound of rubber
Meeting flesh

Before breaking into
hysterics, impatiently
waiting for the bell.