Fresh

Peel away the layer

Raw, pink, slick flesh underneath

Screaming in the open air

Thousands of needle pricks

Rippling over the aching that just

Won't

Heal

Shaking apart

Strip down to your last defense

Hot, flowing agony escapes you

How can anything hurt like this

Breaking apart

You might think you just

Can't

Deal

But you do.

The ache subsides

Soothed by the motion

A crashing sea to help

Calm your tempestuous ocean

It comes and goes in waves

Once you stop crying out

You feel the thump of your heart

The wet tracks racing from corners

The shuddering expansion of your chest

Reality check

You are alive

Your capacity to endure agony

Is also your ability to revel in bliss

If you can feel one deeply

You can feel the other just as much

Dry your eyes and breathe deep

The air is cool on your new skin

In time it will harden

Become encrusted with all your worries

And you'll have to split apart again

But for now enjoy the open air

Nestle against your cornerstones

And thank your lucky stars

That you can still feel