Two skins

I have two skins

One that you can see

and one that I can feel

One that shows

when you are here

and one that stays when you are gone

One that gobbles your sunshine 

and one that changes colors

no reason or rhyme 

When I’m alone I feel it 

snake across my surface

one scale at a time

as if it’s always been

and it has

This wet suit

soaked in the juice 

of rotting fruits

that no washing

can completely wring out

Holds old thoughts 

sealed in

Squeezes new thoughts 

sealed out

The outside 

burns and peels

grows back again 

Resilient and brilliant 

Protecting and keeping 

the inside in

No shaman

No saint

No demon 

No fairy

No shrink

No phoenix 

No potion

No emotion 

No logic

No moxy 

No reading 

or bleeding

can cure 
this chronic rendition 

of slow motion 

Hotel California 

This fun girls

version of 

Time After Time

It’s a never ending record 

of Bye Bye Miss American Pie

that plays in my head

just for me

No smudging

No incense 

No chanting 

No meditation 

No prayer

No masturbation

No exorcism 

No incantation

No cynicism   

No interpretation 

No Palo santo

smoke and mirrors 

can chase the ghost

for the ghost is me

Matured eyes

give me double vision

Insights of my insides

that are not welcome 

but always at home

Two skins

One that holds all the wrinkles 

and one that holds all the sins

Demanding my attention 

when all the spectators are gone

Maybe some day 

I will learn how to skin myself 

from within 

hang the hide out to dry

so the sunshine 

can finally 

get in