Upon Naked Skin by Arabella Salaverry
Upon naked skin I write.
Upon the ardent expanse
which covers me
and accompanies me
Upon my pores
a pleat
a portrait of abrasions.
Upon the gashes
outlines of
a filigree of scars.
Upon this silent collapse
which sometimes reacts to
caresses.
Oh, the wail!
which in other women invokes
absence.
Upon this skin
which at times holds me back
but also becomes unsuitable.
Upon this skin which might as well be a shroud.
Upon this skin of fire and frost.
Upon this skin
my skin
I write.
