Photography by Jeremy Snell

Monday, February 6, 2023

I can never hide behind this skin, my skin,

I am this skin, and memory to whom I’m kin,

From those who’d lost to our others who’d win,

My reminder stares at me, often in the mirror,

Sometimes TV, where it’s clearer, yet dim…

As they show me, below me, that’s me,

Of whom cast shadows of the old me,

So, unless you care to bro me, don’t,

…soak the sheets of what rests me,

Where I’ve slept, dreaming of new me,

Becoming the images of those kin to me,

A projection of those who can look up to me,

Bare skin but never tan like me, yet burning,

Into melanin from UV, like our stars to sea,

Meaning we shine out of light, you see?

Light needs objects, like you, reading,

Or those needing a means to end,

I mean—no object, no light,

Yet some, however,

Dark like me, so,

Remember,

This skin,

On me,

Deep,

Like,

Sea,

-Budd

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