Your Skin On My Skin

6 pieces by Francois Weiss

My Human Skin.

Raw - naked - gives me no protection.

Exposed to the Sun, I burn,

Exposed to the Cold, I die.

Where is the fur that protected me, ages ago?

Why am I so vulnerable?

My own Skin opens and tears from a simple thorn.

My own actual Skin - cannot help me anymore.

I blemish I bruise I blister I burn I crack I chap I cut I scratch I peel I flake I itch I rash I

swell I scar I pimple I wrinkle I dry I redden I sting I tear I bleed I scab I tan I freckle I darken.

Look at me - Animal, like You.

Lost in the Mineral World that I created,

Cold Stone under my naked foot.

Animal like You.

You, my Brother under the Sun - my Sister.

My Mother - Literally my Mother, ages ago.

I dont want to forget.

Cow Calf Bull Ox Sheep Lamb Goat Kid Pig Deer Horse Rabbit Fox Mink Sable Chinchilla

Ermine Beaver Raccoon Coyote Alpaca Llama Crocodile Alligator Snake Python Cobra

Lizard Kangaroo Ostrich Camel Buffalo Yak Seal Polar Bear Caribou Fish.

You, my Brother under the Sun - my Sister.

Your Skin on my Skin.

Under the Sun - under the Rain.

A Life for a Life.

I wear your Skin - I become a different Animal.

Better Harder Stronger Warmer Faster.

A Life for a Life.

You look at me - You See Me.

I look at You - I see Fear.

You know little of what I know.

I know NOTHING of what You Know.