Rosemary’s baby
was born with grey skin
and black, almond eyes
that didn’t blink.
The hospital room fell into a hush as
the nurse laid him in her arms.
She held him to her breast
his skin cool
his tiny heart beating strong.
She named him Abel.
Rosemary’s baby.
He wasn’t right.
His arms grew long.
He never had hair.
His eyes were unnerving.
He still didn’t blink.
At night he would crawl into her bed.
She held his cool wiry body to hers.
He never did learn to speak.
Everything he had to say
he said through his eyes.
Rosemary’s baby, was not of this world.
He had the potential to one day reveal all the earth’s secrets
once he understood how to communicate.
But there was no chance this child would survive.
His difference made the people angry.