by Laurie Beth

Created on: September 08, 2008

The Trouble with Skin

My issue with the skin of
Our bodies
Is not with its paleness
Its dryness
Its refusal to hold beauty

I don't mind its betrayal
In the sags and the flakes
Creases and burns
The stretching and dying.

The issue I have with the skin of
Our bodies
With the promises it bears as a container
Of animation, wisdom, affection
Is that when joined with another
It purports to speak

I despise skin, not for the
Ugliness of its cells
For the ugliness of
Its claims
For skin cannot say I am yours

It cannot bind you to me
Despite its
Miserable taunting.

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