Strawberry skin
a poem on insecurities + tgg update
Good morning fellow people and poets, I hope this sunday is treating you well.
Before I get to todays poem I’d like to preface some things. I’ll be taking a short break from writing here for around two weeks or so, both due to mental health reasons, and my travels to Paris next week, Berlin in two, and a weekend in England.
With these factors and considering work, I’m stretched a little thin and have little energy to write currently, so things will be a little quiet around here.
The below poem was originally inspired by having Keratosis pilaris, aka ‘chicken skin’ but more affectionately nicknamed ‘Strawberry skin’ however that idea had lay unfinished in my drafts for some years. When I found the song ‘Strawberry Gashes’ by American gothic-metal banf Jack Off Jill, it relit my motivation to finish my poem but changing the concept.
I got very lost writing this. It was very difficult to define what I wanted it to be so the message might be a little lost, but regardless I am happy with the final result. Now the poem you are about to read was inspired by struggle with my current insecurities. It’s a vulereable piece, but one I’m quite proud of.
Enjoy!
Strawberry skin
red spots are seeds
planted on a body
that cannot seem to grow.
I don't hold as much
sweetness.
I'm never as beautiful
as when I'm cut
and bleeding.
slice off above
where the flavour starts.
there is little use
for the imperfect parts.
I cling to the knife and drip
upon the countertop.
briefly enveloped in a warm embrace
in the form of a tongue
on the flat side of the blade.
flies swarm, searching for
a saccharine scene
but find only a woman in rot.
blackened bruises
cluster on my body like mould,
collapsing at the pressure placed
on my weak spots.
I'm not ripe enough anymore
bright red
or hungered for.
I pour
and
pour
and
pour
from every seam
I stick,
seep.
staining every
finger
the knife and
the kitchen floor.
Thank you for reading.
When I’m back I’ll be writing pieces on my sights from Europe, and perhaps some educational letters on the historical landmarks if I feel so inclined.
Until the next, stay weird.
Kaci xc