today i was fitted for new ear plugs

shaped to my inner ear
and the battlefield scars of my
holed non-waterproofed eardrums

bulky and protruding
with large r and l indicators
tiny grips for convenient removal
and embarrassingly bright blue

in the mirror i see them
as others see them
bold blue beacons of differentiation
and confidence loses its
reflection

flashbacks to childhood
those bits of wax the size and
shape of hominy
tiny chunks that would break off
get lodged in my ear
requiring surgical removal

the humiliating days of
middle school locker room showers when
it was apparently humorous for others
to poke fingers in my ears at the plugs
despite my sad begging look of
a thousand starving children

now the future is here
in molded plastic and a comfort fit
pieces that don't break off
waterproof with a tiny carrying case
annoyingly labeled with my name
in case you didn't know the defective one
complete with chain to wear as beach bling
to the special olympics

specially formed for my
scarred and damaged eardrums
to go under water in complete comfort
without design flaws
except one
for my confidence

but hey doc
i'm sure no one will notice
that they're
fucking bright blue