1:46am.

i'm just a little behind compared to the other boys.

it’s 1:46am and

the bathroom heat

is on full blast

it’s warm

i stare in the mirror

my eyes trail my own face

skimming over the acne scars

and bushy brows

i lean in

you can see the hair coming from

the mole above my top lip, and

i still don’t know how it got there

the sides of my face and my chin

thick, short hairs sprout from my pores

an inkling of facial hair

growing in

i need to shave it soon

seeing them gives me joy

but it leaves me teetering on a

dangerous ledge

between me

and

who i’m supposed to

look like

but later,

after i’ve left,

they’ll grow more.

i'm a little behind compared to

the other boys

so just a boost of testosterone

and everything will be okay

my face will fill out

my cheekbones and jawline

will show themselves

and my hair will grow

along with my smile

my happiness

my comfort.

i say sorry to my

poor baby hairs as i

pull out the razor and

shaving cream

soon enough as the world lets me grow, then so shall you

Reviews

[Scott De Buitléi..]

Very well written, a moment in time that many of us either forget or fail to even think about. Well done.

[Quill]

all in due time my friend