The First Lesson I Learned

You three older boys

Who chased me down

In Wedgewood park a quarter century ago

You held my arms

Told me open my mouth

Then spat into it

And walked off laughing

You taught me to hate

Injustice and unfairness

To defend myself with tongue and fists

To walk away from fights

But never turn my back on foes

To do the most good I can for others

Without fear of hell or gods

Whatever prison you are in now

Know this

I forgot your faces

But remember your lesson