Beneath the skin

one day, i opened my eyes
      and saw veins & muscles & cells  

of nameless people, unwrapped tissues
      pulsing with blood & fats & dirty water- 

i cast my eyes down from this sight,
      for i was not ready to see beneath the skin

colored of ink & stories, i hid from everyone
      as if i was a freak, too sensitive, too pained to see the aches-     

i harmed myself until you knocked at my door 
     & suddenly i see you - bare of clothes & words - the pupils

of your eyes dilated with concern,
      heartbeat ticking madly along your neck like rushing waves

gathered close, i blush to see your passion 
     growing and the sweat dripping on the floor 

your bones are softer than i thought,
     your pelvic on mine,  an exquisite canvas   

as you kiss me close, all my pores and glands,
     open & beat to your overture,  your tongue  

maps a trail on my palm, speaking in a language I know  -   
     inviting as a morning dawn    

i finally see my arm, wrist and hand now,
     a tree stem, carpal bones and phalanges 

reaching for you, iridescent as a butterfly, 
     the core of you, even more beautiful than before 

Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Beauty is everywhere  - Hosted by Fred R.  ~  Thanks for the visit ~

picture credit:  Adam Martinakis