My Achilles by Stanley Iyanu

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With its framing of Greek Myths held lightly (or maybe I just don’t know them well enough to get the references?) the is a tender collection of poems rich in love.

weird + wonderful

you are not the boy you once were

gone are the thin legs, high ankle socks

and church clothes that no longer fit

braces have removed your gaps

so you no longer hide your smile

you are not the boy you once were

gone is the shyness, that small waist

the need for a father’s love -

but thankfully so is the fear

in being who you really are

you are not the boy you once were

your innocence is a thing of the past

but your heart remains the same

that boy so gentle and tender

is a man now, weird + wonderful