Skin

my skin was battered and bruised

I kept it on as long as I could

scared to reveal what was underneath

for fear of finding something worse

one day I was struck

my skin tore

I picked at the wound

pulled back the edges

what i saw was not only beautiful

but terrifying

I stitched myself up

an attempt to keep my outside together

after poking and prodding

mending and repairing

it all fell apart

I had shed my skin

and stored it away to look back on

today I disposed of it

for I no longer need it