That day in late May is etched in my memory-

a shoelace broke and caused me misery.

I didn't have the coins to buy a new pair,

so I knotted ends together and got out of there.

I was a freshman that year in a boarding school

where you did what they told you and obeyed The Rule.

I grew six inches and put on thirty pounds...

My pants were shorter and the news made the rounds.

"Floods must be comin' 'cause I see the high water...

can't your folks buy new pants, I think they oughta."

It hurt real deep, but I kept it inside,

I didn't know what to do, but I knew I couldn't hide.

Cruel words kids say just to get a laugh;

Leave others with scars along life's painful path.

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