More Than Once

From the ages

of twelve to fifteen

I wore somewhere

between

twelve to fifteen bracelets

to cover the bandages

on my left wrist.

Luckily,

and unluckily, I suppose,

that was somewhat

fashionable

for that era.

I was a walking

‘Help Wanted’ poster,

hoping someone

would see beyond

the giggles and

hyperactive tendencies.

Looking back,

the public school system

requiring tetanus shots

is probably what

saved my life.