Only A Layer

A gruesome conceit about what my past means to me.

My past is the dead skin around my feet.

It is the dry tips of my hair,

my yellowing toenail,

my bleeding blisters,

and my ugly scars.

Sometimes at the beach, alone,

I take off my heavy coat and I am only bone.

Without the superficiality,

I am free.

My skin peels off, some will watch with awe

as it falls on the floor

they’ll see, me, standing bare.

Others will stay fixated and stare

at the dead skin around my feet

the marks on my body from nail to teeth.

I’ll give them a spin,

because I know that no one has clear skin.

Yes, my body is full of imperfections

but it’s all a question of perception,

I wouldn’t feel complete

without the dead skin around my feet.

Reviews

[Adam Adams]

review:
your first attempt is even quite interesting & a very thoughtful to be read along time. the depth of realistic thoughts, & a real pie of pleaded misery have u nicely pondered into the suchness of pleaful words. short. simple. & yet so effectively heartfelt as well.

ps.
past plays a very enormous role in everyone's life which further makes us all feel a bit imperfect, but also a big perceptive as well for no reason. liked these given lines:

"my body is full of imperfections
but it’s all a question of perception... "

rating: 100/100
nicely penned. lookin forward to reading ur work!

[isabella]

Thank you for looking so deeply into my poem, I really appreciate it! I do have a few more poems and writings on my account, but they are not all in english ;)!

[emipoemi]

I have no words.....my voice is in my awe!! In faith, no words can do justice to what I'm left with after reading this. It's profound, it's solemn, it lives, breathes, and dances. Well done!

[isabella]

thank you very much, I'm glad you like it!!

[Kesha]

I am really liking this piece. It's very true that the past plays a big role in who we are today. You captured this concept perfectly.

[isabella]

And unfortunately some people only see you for who you were before... thank you for your comment!

[Kesha]

Yes sadly they do. I know someone who used to think like that

[Rynn]

I like that you got the rawness across very well in this piece. The imagery within the first few lines is very well done. I feel as though it's transformational piece, I interpreted the parts about your skin very literally, like you're shedding who you were, and describing how those around you feel about it. Some will notice your change, others will focus on who you used to be. I really enjoyed the read!

[isabella]

That's really what I wanted to get through, I'm super glad you saw really deep into this, thank you very much Rynn

[Coyote Poetry]

I liked the realistic words and thoughts.
"Yes, my body is full of imperfections
but it’s all a question of perception,
I wouldn’t feel complete
without the dead skin around my feet. "
Life is fair. We show real self to few people. Pealing back skin and allowing true face to be seen. Thank you Isabella for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[isabella]

It is a pleasure! I'm glad you enjoyed, it is very satisfying to pour your soul out and to be appreciated for it

[Coyote Poetry]

I did enjoy. A outstanding poem.

[gypsy scribbler]

I liked it. It's a shame I can't understand your other poems.

[isabella]

Thank you! Awfully sorry, I do have some texts in french, spanish, a little portuguese. However I have written another poem in english if ever you were interested! xx

[An owl on the moon]

This is so remarkable, each powerful echo of these metaphors coming to life through you. There are the dark edges of the soul that whisper into the night world around you; the death being shed yet clinging still. Amazing!

[isabella]

At first, I was not going to write this poem about my past but more about my reputation. The image that i portray to others, and how some see me truly for who I am but others see what is at the surface. Thanks for you lovely comment.

[An owl on the moon]

Even in your response to your writing there is the poetic heart walking the path between the seen and the unseen. Looking forward to so much more of your writing soon.

[Chris A Jones]

The imagery is great. The rhythm is is not quite a defined. However, I don't think that matters all that much here. Thanks for sharing. If you make changes, looking forward to reading the next draft or even the final version.

[isabella]

Agreed, I tried to add rhyme for a little more formality; but it is in free verse, I think it allows the reader to pause whilst reading... Thanks for your advice and encouragement :)!

[Shash]

Wow! I love it, it is simple in structure but just so beautiful and meaningful. It's exactly what i needed to read right now. Thank you!

[isabella]

thanks so much, i'm really glad you like this poem as to me it was very risky by its gruesomeness... i mean dead skin around my feet isn't very sexy!!!

[mercy party]

a first go and a good one! There will be no trace of the skin you have now in only a year. You are ready to move on.

[isabella]

thank you! I hope so!