One of Many People
by Shannon P. Laws
In 1976 I was
a second grader
My hair was long
my skin was tan
and someone gifted
me a turquoise ring
Looking back I don’t
remember having many friends
but I was happy and free
and in love with my world
I built a comic book
reading fort in the
garage rafters of our
9th Avenue home
It was a room by itself
It had a clock radio
a small, warm lamp
cushions and blankets
for me and the cat
I read
Dynamite
MAD
Marvel and D.C.
and the spooky “Believe It Or Not” comics
I miss that girl
Puberty and the 80’s were
crouched around the corner
ready to pounce
ready to pound me into another person
It will never be 1976 again
I’ll never be that long haired girl again
