At seven ,
I rode a bicycle
with over inflated tires
that burst in the dark
thumping hard the side
of the house
scaring us all

At eleven ,
I went to three
different elementaries
in two states ,
one fall ,
two winter ,
three spring

When thirteen ,
I had a home
with no roof
or walls and slept
under the wiles of
mother moon

Then at fourteen ,
at fifteen ,
and sixteen ,
I went to high school
in a house made
out of cards
The jokers ran wild

At seventeen ,
I moved on
moved out
and like an orphan
I was sponsored
without love
as a rock singing
"I Am A Rock"

" 'I have my books
   And my poetry to protect me
   I am shielded in my armor
   Hiding in my room
   Safe within my womb
   I touch no one and no one touches me
   I am a rock
   I am an island

   And a rock feels no pain
   And a rock never cries ' "