OLD SKIN-
rough like the hands that touched me,
the lives that touched me
when i raged against myself.
OLD SKIN-
torn like the diaries i wrote in,
the memories that i wrote on
when i raged against myself.
OLD SKIN-
burned like my bridges,
my friends, my ships, my best friendships,
burned like the witch at the stake,
burned because i had time and kindling to spare.
OLD SKIN-
dry like my eyes,
like the stone face i carved
when i was told i was overreacting-
"hey, calm down."
OLD SKIN-
scarred like my memory,
thick and ugly and
it's not beautiful and it's not a sign of strength
no matter how they try to frame it
OLD SKIN-
molting like a snake,
like the snake i was,
the serpent that ruined eve.
i am the serpent and i am eve.
NEW SKIN-
stretching like my limits,
ready to grow like a newborn babe, and
the mother's skin is rough and torn and burned and dry and scarred
but it carried this new skin into the world.
i am the mother and i am the babe.