this skin is not new

and not the same

the first soft blank smoothness

replaced by the rich texture of experience

the get ups and fall downs, bumps and bruises

 

this skin is not afraid

it knows the shocks and stings of life,

the scrape of raw knees, overused

the goose bumps of anticipation

the shivers and caress of

love

 

this skin gets it

finally

the knowledge of how

it is not indestructible

but always a keeper of memories

 

an organ not of thought,

but of sensation.