Aurochs to Zorra

Nevus

Nevus


It stained in pink at birth.
In comments full of oohs and aahs
and pity for his parents,
the design a mark for life.

It stained a childhood
fraught with stares
and spoken unkind words
and kept the soul from singing.

It trapped and marked a youth unsure
that rights of others, were not his.
This mark, no privilege,
a cost to bear alone.

It’s faded now, the hurt, the pain
that marked his life until that day
when hugs and hope you freely gave,
healing the birthmark’s stain.


© Kåre Enga

nevus: a congenital growth or mark on the skin, such
as a mole or birthmark.