Cheerleader Tryouts Poem by Belle Wassermeister

You'd think that cheerleader tryouts
would be a closed affair,
held in the gym
under the watchful eye
of the teacher in charge
and very few others.

Not at my high school.

Tryouts were held in the auditorium,
on the stage, with the entire
student body in attendance.

I can't remember if it was
after school, or if a special
assembly was called,
during class time.

No matter.

I can still remember the agony
when one smart-mouth kid
called out: "Hey, Linda Bella!
Move so that we can see
those four girls behind you! "

I didn't let his words crush me.
(I could have crushed him
just by sitting on him.)

Not only did I make the squad,
but they elected me captain.

I was much more athletic
than he was. He tried out
for the basketball team
but didn't make it.

At the end of that year
I received the MVC trophy
(most valuable cheerleader) .

He received nothing,
not even a diploma.
He flunked out.

I should feel vindicated,
but I don't.
I feel sorry for him.