on being disfigured

the girl at the movie rental place has bad acne,

greasy hair, some possible symptoms of fetal

alchohol syndrome and tonight-- a poison

ivy rash running red and ugly down the 

side of my face-- i am nice to her for the first time.

I take my movies, subtitles and all, and go home

hating myself on various levels, mostly for being

obvious.  wishing i had rented something

with no plot and easy violence, explosions.

Reviews

[J]

You have completely convicted me with this piece. And your honesty, facility for words and self-awareness elevate your work so far above most writers. Relatable, intelligent, deeply perceptive . . .

How is the poison ivy? Didn't realize it was on your face. And how you have turned that awful discomfort into self-realization. You are quite a guy.

A month ago, I ran around for weeks with two black eyes and a mess of a forehead and nose from a fall on concrete steps. And I became acutely aware of suppositions and judgments made by complete strangers. How people stare without apology. Like you ~ it was a lesson in humility. At least our disfigurement was only temporary.

Thanks for this. Well done, as always.
Jill

[Emily B]

I had to read it twice. It wasn't easily apparent to me the first time through that the narrator was horribly disfigured and thus nice to the gal at the movie rental place. I think it's a jewel. Could maybe do with a little polish though.

[AK]

It's a real eye opener when those of us not used to extra "scrutiny" experience it from the public as Jill mentioned. It reminds us that we should always be aware of how we interact with folks who have challenges. After all, we are all pretty much the same under the surface.
Thank you for sharing this.