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A CHILDHOOD

Peter Mishler

A CHILDHOOD is a poem written by Peter Mishler and visually interpreted by Michael Hughes. Mishler’s debut collection of poems is Fludde, winner of the Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry from Sarabande Books. Also the author of a book of reflections on public school teaching from Andrews McMeel/Simon and Schuster.

A CHILDHOOD

My mother was the first person on Earth.
You can imagine my torment.
Being the second thing.
A drop of her rich concealer fell to my cheek.
She smoothed it in with a chewed-on thumb.
How much there was to perfect in me I will never be sure.