Skin, our outermost garment

tells our innermost story, reveals

Sins of commission and omission

shades of wax, a burdened liver

reds, an excitable heart

grays, worried kidneys

 

There are the hardenings of defense

the thinnings of despair

the wrinkles coarse and strong

or fine and effaced

 

Each line and hue

tells the story of its bearer

points to a history

of doing and undoing

 

There is no hiding