Mole Skin

I have a mole on the palm of my hand

think I've had it since I was born

in utero

a baby's hair is called lanugo

when my daughter falls asleep in her pushchair

coasting over concrete flagstones

I clench my jaw at every dog bark

or screaming siren that might wake her

a baby's hair is called lanugo

my eyebrows are thick and dark

sculpted but unplucked

framing my amazing

ever-changing eyes

Mum said, ''You can't shave your legs

til you're twelve. Then you can decide

for yourself. Once you start it's hard to stop

let your soft dark hair grow with pride''

a baby's hair is called lanugo

went for a drive by myself

climbed a ladder to a look-out hut

lit a cigarette, high up

huddled standing stones

a family gathered in the rain

never alone back then

my mum was still alive

I have a mole on the palm of my hand

think I've had it since I was born

in utero

a baby's hair is called lanugo