Sunshine Boy

Jogging,
dried leaves crunching
beneath brand new Nikes
on grassy fields
at a new school.
Hot sun casting a curtain
of isolating blindness.

Everyone running together
as friends
excluding the new kid from Florida.
Their laughter slams a door in my face.
Behind me she runs
mocking
“Oh look, it’s sunshine boy!”

Odor of sweat sickens me
my gaze drops to my feet
like my self-esteem
and I squeeze my eyes shut.

by John Zobian
9th grade, ‘Iolani School