Nitpicking: You have nine syllables here:

And scabby knees and getting sticky

Cut out the first 'and' and you'll be all set--the initial emphasis will match up with the following line. But then the pacing goes a bit off--gah! I can see why you left it in. I guess it's not very noticeable if you're not specifically keeping an ear tuned to it.

Anyway, I really love how you switched up the rhythm scheme to reflect the emotional shift in the middle--Ben going from mad to sympathetic is just beautiful. And the premise is fabulous.

Thank you for sharing both of these wonderful poems with us. I like them very much indeed.