A Young Man in Curlers at Home on West 20th Street, New York City, 1966
Marah Hoffman
He is about to tell us a story.
You can see it germinating
in the cock of his French-manicured
hand and open petal lips.
The curlers are pausing.
Painted eyebrows grow taut.
He knows you think it a mask, but
he's never felt more authentic.
If you didn’t listen in 1966,
will you now?
About the Author
Marah Hoffman is a senior double major in English and creative writing at Lebanon Valley College in rural Pennsylvania. Marah enjoys reading classic and contemporary literature. She has written poetry since she was twelve but has lately found herself wandering the realm of creative nonfiction, particularly personal essays. Besides being a bookworm, Marah is an avid runner. She is a member of Lebanon Valley College’s cross country and track teams. When Marah graduates, she hopes to find a profession that allows her to continue pursuing her passion for books.