Ode on a Nose

This nose
is the same
as my father's nose,
and my grandmother's nose,
and her father's nose,
and who knows
how far back
it goes.
This nose
is genetically imposed
upon my face,
and whether or not I am
ill disposed
to accept it,
the fact is
as plain as the nose on my face
that
only surgical grace
can transform
my face
and replace
this nose.
Yet,
I suppose,
I've grown
rather fond of the
aforementioned
protuberance,
the obnoxious
proboscis,
and, after all,
a nose
with such
distinguished
antecedents
is nothing, I tell you,
to sneeze at.

kathleen l. smith
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