From One Flake To Another by Chris Sorrenti

From One Flake To Another

I’ve sometimes heard people described as “flakes”
a derogatory picture immediately formed in mind
of hand vigorously brushing dandruff from a shoulder

Some unfortunate through no fault except being themselves
seen as not worth the trouble of getting to know
reassuring myself that others would never think of me this way
yet begrudgingly accepting the opposite has probably happened

Troubled off and on by this dark twist of human nature
I’m compelled once more to pull out the dictionary
look up the word in its various inflections
where I quickly discover the connotation defined as “oddball”
causes me to laugh out openly with relief
knowing all too well how strange at times I can be

Recalling the many souls I’ve gotten to know over the years
and how each has had some quirk of personality
allowing them to easily share with me the distinction

And in this I realize...take comfort
in that we’re all in our own way “flakes”
grown upon and fallen from the scalp of God
and in humbleness can only hope he never gives us the brush off