On a road trip the other day
we got talking about birth defects you don’t see
any more
like hunchbacks, birth marks, cleft palates
though Simon
whose father was Lord Mayor of Mars had one
and spoke with a lisp.
Then at this café in the mountains
we were served
by a barista
with a raspberry stain on his left cheek
the shape of Africa.
Is that a birth mark, I asked him. We were just talking about them.
Yes, it is, he smiled.
It was just another feature on his face, like his nose.
or a mole
It was nothing special.
Yet it had a strange sort of beauty.
He poured me the greatest cup of coffee.
I was glad that I had asked him, that I didn’t wuss out.
It’s okay to be curious.
John Malone 
Very nice story. We (having finished The Hobbit) are reading a very good book called “Wonder” by RJ Palacio. It’s about a boy born with a collision of genetic disturbances to his face. He is 10 and the story is told from his point of view as well as his friends and siblings. It’s very well written. I mean, it’s junior fiction. But it’s compelling and so in tune with the theme of your poem.
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thanks Worms; I reckon I’ve seen the film years ago but I didn’t know there was a book; I’m looking for something really interesting and different to read and thanks to you I reckon I’ve found it !! 🙂
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Cool! Yes, I had heard it had been made into a film. It was recommended to us by a niece who read it when she was in late primary school.
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I haven’t read a junior fiction book for a long time, not since I stopped teaching High School English, so am really looking forward to this one 🙂
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👍👍
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Thought provoking John. Better asking than ignoring!
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I think as long as you do it with tact and respect 🙂
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👍
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very nice, finally coming to the point of we are who we are, every part of us. i read wonder and loved it, and i always read a young child’s version to my class each year, and we have a chance to talk about it and hear their thoughts
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much appreciated, Beth: respect for all our differences; each of us are ‘wonders’ in our own way 🙂 Respect !
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I have a couple of birthmarks on my left hand. They are really tiny and look like cigarette burns. People have been concerned and asked me how I got them, expecting the worst, since I don’t smoke. There were questions like ‘Does your husband treat you right?’ Well, he doesn’t smoke too. 😁
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that must have been tricky at times esp in these days when people are on the lookout for signs of domestic violence —
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Exactly, John! Also, I had previously been in an abusive marriage before I walked out. So, my family and friends are super-sensitive about me. 🤣 The crazy part is that even my mum didn’t remember me having these birthmarks. So, even she panicked on seeing them. I’ve been teasing her about that ever since. 🤣🤣🤣
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a close relation of mine has just walked out of an abusive marriage so I have a fair idea how traumatic it can be; glad you got out safely :)you don’t see many posts about birthmarks so I’m pleased this one sparked a discussion 🙂
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Adults rarely ask, but they will glance and turn away when caught. Children however with their unabashed curiosity will ask, what’s that? So much more honest. It’s a wonderful point you made, John.
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I have always been curious, Elle, and have usually found a way to ask ; though I’m also aware what curiosity did to the cat 🙂
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Lol John, cats also have 9 lives! 😉😁
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yes, lucky buggers ! they also, we are told, always land on their feet, an accomplishment we humans rarely experience —
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We have 3 kitties and they absolutely always land on their feet. On some occasions so do we 😉 not literally though.
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yes, I think cats have it all over us; in my next live I’m coming back as one 🙂 you know what, Elle: you or I are edging towards a cat poem 🙂
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I love this, John. There is, from the start a respectful tone and tempo in the story.
I’d rather be interesting than beautiful.
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Lol. likewise, Ulle 🙂
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Beautiful write, John, I agree it’s good to be curious and kind in our approach.
eden
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🙂 thanks Eden; to live in this world it behooves us to be curious 🙂
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Imperfections, we may see them as a kryptonite but they are often are superheroes. Enjoyed.
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like Dianne Arbus I am attracted to oddities; they are nature’s whimsy at work 🙂 though not if they interfere with a person’s quality of life —
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They say that curiosity killed the cat. Of course it is better to ask than stare.
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I agree; that is my philosophy 🙂
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Grt!
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thank you 🙂
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