Slant Eyes.
That’s what they called me,
On the playground, in class, on the bus.
Two words yelled in a cruel tone,
by faces that didn’t look like
Mine.
Almond Shaped Eyes.
That’s what my adoptive mother said
as we stood in front of the Clinique makeup counter.
“Let’s enhance the curve of them,” said the sales associate
with eyes NOT shaped like
Mine.
Wonky Eyes.
That’s what I told myself when I looked in the mirror.
Easily pointing out their imperfections,
my right eye more folded than my left.
Who would want eyes like
Mine?
Beautiful Eyes.
That’s what I see now when I behold
the eyes of my son.
Eyes shaped and colored
exactly like
Mine.
