shy quirky (from On on. Waiting) I was always a shy, quirky kid. I was generally happy with an inexhaustible, adventurous energy. I was always conjuring some serendipitous endeavor. Building forts, go-carts, tinkering with all and sundry. Trucking through deep green woods. Climbing trees. High. High — so high where everything down there was a cotton ball. I would nestle into my own world where the branches and leaves blocked everything below. Sometimes, I would take reckless leaps from one branch of one tree to another branch on another tree like a bird. dust (from On on. Waiting) They would send you in the corner or perhaps up to the front of the class where they all stared after you. A collective, muted giggle would parade you to your chamber. The corner or That black board. Some teachers would even draw a fucking circle and make you keep your nose in the center. Bull’s-eye! Don’t move it, kid, or you’re dust! michael j tino 2007 back