Quicken a Callous

1.29.22

Why bare this raw skin to the world?
Like the meat of a crab or lobster
exposed past peeled back shell.
How is this healthy?
Can’t I quicken a callous
by burning the pink of me
with a hot iron rod
stoked by… what?
The flames of fear?
Or the forge of a face
smiling and intelligent and
unsure too.

Ouch. It hurts to feel.