Skinless

I have shed my skin,

wiggled out of that dead casing

leaving behind a hollow form

that once held me snug

in the comfort of

who I

was.

Now I feel everything,

the rough textures of love

rubbing every inch,

chafing, burning, scratching,

tearing into the deeper layers

touching bone

touching synapse and cell

touching memory and what was

with the heartbeat of

a million wings of sadness.

Day by day

the miracle of cells dividing

creates a new skin,

a stronger, more resilient covering.

May it be porous,

protective without being defended,

containing without being rigid,

sensitive without bleeding out.

May it provide all that is needed

for the deep, raw, truth of compassion

to live in every breath

I take.