Clutching At Straws

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Clutching at Straws

I clutched a straw
albeit
one for me
that is
quite more
than enough
for I be just
one

It skews
in my hand
caused by the
grasp of it
hope its
release beckons
a recall of
its former 
self

Alas,
not nearly as 
close but 
far worse
for where it 
bends was a 
tear

So now
I'd be ready
this rarest
thing that I do
as I gingerly
grasped more
then all of the
straws

Clutching
them unbeknownst
to me hails a
slightly older
kid in need
of a 
straw

Looks
puzzled at first
till his inner brows
met his nose
and the outer
rosed
up

Without
fail I replaced
all save one
in the empty
jar and slowly
began to
retreat

When
suddenly a
hand reached
from behind me
and yanked
the straw I
held

Defensive
training consumed
me as I roundhouse
kicked him to a
penitent 
pose

Again
with a puzzled
and now dazed look
he returned to me
my unaffected
sturdy
straw

He
tells his
friends no 
more will he 
be grasping
at straws 
there

Then
I turned 
and grinned 
imagined a lesson I
received for the result of 
that moment I was 
unlearnt in defense 
and it had finished
adversely 
against
me

2020 September 26     
*2nd Place*
Clutching at Straws
~~Kai Michael Neumann

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