Achondroplastic
They call me brave but to be brave
one has to have a choice
An aberration
dispossessed from the start
The product
of one hideous mistake
on the Jacob’s ladder of DNA
Growth stunted
with a massive head
blunt pug-like features
Limbs squat and bowed
In the street
people stared with pity
and ill-disguised revulsion
One woman crossed herself
another touched him
for good luck
He once asked his mother
Where did I come from
Helplessly
she struggled for an answer
He didn’t ask again
His father never looked at him
The ugly are unforgivable
At the Party
It’s not food or drink you crave
but intelligent conversation
Because you’re in a wheelchair
they think the brain has thrown in the towel
They chatter across you
one or two may look down
eye contact slithers
Some charitable soul will ask
May I bring a plate a glass
then good deed done she slides away
You long to leave
but have to stay until the end
when your driver is ready
How desirable home seems
where you know you are
a member of the human race