In This Skin
A short poem on many things and nothing.
Cloying darkness envelopes me
My eyes see naught but the bleak
So warm and dark, yet binding
At home within this skin
----
But is it me entombed in solitude or do others share my plight?
I question my existence, crowded on all sides
Gestating in pitch darkness, dreaming of the light
----
Dysmorphia consumes me, my eyes tell only lies
I can’t see my own perfections, only the question of my form
The pressure ever mounting, forces from beyond
What is the chosen path, what will I become?
----
No potential to be found in me, at least not through these jaded eyes
Too lumpy, all splotchy, mishappen
I'm sure that’s what they’ll decry
----
I’d protest or weep, were I not buried alive
The world is oppressive, I’m only safe inside
So thickened skin, I shall grow to keep my core alive
----
My blemished skin and shapely form, measurements of my worth
Expectations suffocate, and I crave the cold comfort of earth
The world eyes me with hunger, predators one and all
----
Eyes a view to the soul, they look but do not see
My future, all potential shaped by hands yet unseen
What will I become, and will it be my choice?
I’d cry out in dismay, had I the privilege of a voice
----
To grow this skin, thick and strong, deflecting tongue and tooth
No barbs or blades can breach, that they cannot reach
To hide away inside forever, stifled and warped
A sepulcher of substance
I writhe within this skin
To live within this darkness until the time I rot?
----
No, I shall not!
To face the light and peel back my calloused skin
Vulnerable, and raw
Exposed! What would you say of me now?
My truth stripped for all to see
I am raw, but I am free!
About the Creator
Addison M
Artist & writer, although those may be potent terms for what I concoct. A spirited creator may be more apt. Spreading my particular brand of asinine insanity to the masses.
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Violence Begets
"Any last words, cowboy?" "None you'd understand, sodbuster." "Funny. That's Marshall Sodbuster to you. But I meant some last nugget that would help us in the adjudication of the myriad offenses counted against you and your gang. I wasn't asking for penitence."
By Adam Diehl5 days ago in Fiction
Comments (27)
So Fantastic Oh My God❤️Brilliant & Mind Blowing Your Story, Please Read My Stories and Subscribe Me
Wow! Really powerful writing here, I like the dark imagery, it really gives your poem weight. And I really love the ending— including the “what would you say of me now?” I feel anxiety and uncertainty, but in context that line also carries steady defiance and that’s inspiring.
nice poem!
You captured what many of us feel so beautifully
“What will I become, and will it be my choice?” That question is so haunting. Every time I see anything about free will, I think of Ezio Auditorie and the assassins; this was SO well written! Congrats on top story!
This is just stunning, Addison! Seriously. I would pick out my favourite lines, but this comment would be way too long as I'd have to include the whole thing. I love the direction you took with it and how vulnerable it was - and that ending was perfect! Congrats on this getting Top Story - it's well-deserved!
Fantastic!
Your writing is excellent. I must say, I was thoroughly impressed.
Back to say congrats on Top Story!! ❤️✨🕊️
very nice, indeed.
Oh how I love this. I have always had the attitude that "what you see is what you get". I may not be perfect, but I am me and can't see why I should pretend to be otherwise. My friends say I wear my heart and mind on my collar, like a badge of honor`. Maybe, I do, but you made a good point. I am the raw me.
I loved reading this and it was so mesmerizing literally every line. some of the lines just felt personal here are they-- ''Dysmorphia consumes me, my eyes tell only lies I can’t see my own perfections, only the question of my form The pressure ever mounting, forces from beyond What is the chosen path, what will I become?'' congratulations on top story :)
Amazing, there is so much depth in this <3
Inspiring! Great work, Love it all, especially this line: I writhe within this skin To live within this darkness until the time I rot? ---- No, I shall not! To face the light and peel back my calloused skin
Congrats on top story!
Congrats on top story! Great job!
I want to see the raw!
Congrats on your Top Story!
Good words
Good words
Excellent!
This was so poignant and powerful! I loved the ending, it was so liberating! I loved this poem so much!
So heartfelt and powerful. Well done!
Nice piece 😉❤️📝💯👌
"I am raw, but I am free!" - Boom! This is an extraordinary line! Well done!