Zit Ode

O, your eruption
glistening in the light
illuminating puss in a
blackhead, whitehead
ring of rosacea
satisfying, disgusting
you visit all, fully inclusive
you are famous, loved, hated
yet a sign, cyst, blister
you help identify
bacteria, puberty
food, ill hygiene
we humanize you
as you grow
celebrate you even
you’ve oozed your
way into pop media
in so many personalities
by so many names
pimple, blemish, acne
boil, bump, welt
O, thee blain of
my face’s existence

Stefani Boutelier, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Education at Aquinas College in Michigan. She teaches courses for pre-service and in-service teachers focused on instructional design, diverse literacy, technology integration, and research methods. Her K-12 teaching was in Southern California before moving into teacher preparation.