He sits at his lunch table all alone
with his lunch box packed full
of boring
healthy food
That is overprotective mother packed for him.

He struggles with his weight,
and the constant name calling.
Fatty, Jelly roll, heavy-weight,
are the most common.
He pretends that it doesn’t bother him,
but all the names seep deep inside his thick skin.

The names used to discourage him
but now they enrage him.
He has had enough.

*****
Today, he went to the principal’s office,
with a smile and
a new reputation.
Today, Jimmy went to the hospital,
busted face and
cracked ribs.