the way a child hands out candy to friends
from a personal collection,
holding five or six pieces cupped to the chest
head down, lips poking out, trying to protect
as if older boys might appear, push him around
steal his prizes--the ones that he gives away
to be loved
"And you can have this one, it's lemon."
Working so hard to be quiet all week to win a piece,
making a shot from the three-point line in the gym,
best out of three at rock-paper scissors,
knowing all but two on his multiplication test,

he'd forget all these things.
children doing meaningless tasks to be loved
by other children who practice impractical routines
to be loved by the original circle-runners.

and there is always a candyless child left on the swings
watching the children who win the affection of others
wondering when all of this will be over,
questioning how their mouths can be so sweet.