Peel Back My Layers

Peel back the layers of my fire-blistered skin —

Religiously anatomize my body and mind;

There, you will find both virtue and sin.

Fervently flay my fascia and flesh — begin

Your devout exploration of denuded truth confined;

Peel back the layers of my fire-blistered skin.

Faithfully extricate fibrous veins and sinews to pin

Hands in prayer, as around my wrists they bind;

There, you will find both virtue and sin.

Bravely bore into bones to meet marrow of ricin,

Where toxic plasma and blood cells are aligned;

Peel back the layers of my fire-blistered skin.

Zealously sever my tongue where tales sensual spin,

And delicately dissect my cataract eyes, evil-blind;

There, you will find both virtue and sin.

Finally, extract my bleeding heart as it beats within,

Know your own — with my name in old-blood-ink signed.

Peel back the layers of my fire-blistered skin;

There, you will find both virtue and sin.