Poem: Old Skins

Veins protrude along the tops of

My hands

Look a bit similar to my Dad’s even though he’s 80 now.

Our blue worms lie just under the surface of

Skins

Crispy Crackling Crinkled from the sun

I see me in the mirror, 46 now

In the harsh light I am getting on.

My friend tells me “We’ve been shedding old skins”

And I’m intrigued –

“What do you mean exactly?” –

But there are young children and the talk’s too deep.

We stay on the surface here where

My daughter paints tiny dots on her face.

For fashionable fun.

She says you can get tattoos of freckles

Or, better than permanent,

Ones that will last a few months if you prefer.

I’ve seen those faces under UV light exposing

Damage

Protection was drilled into us as kids

You must cover up with a shirt before you go anywhere

Put on suncream and a hat

Slip.Slop.Slap.

My Kiwi roots are showing and the Southern Hemisphere

Sun is very harsh.

Grown in New Zealand

Mum tells me sweet pea seeds are very good

But the flowers fade too quickly in my home country and so

The best seeds are exported here to England where

Planted, they flourish

Into the most beautiful flowers.

That could have been me, I think

In prime and pride

But I died

And I have outlived those versions of myself.

(Who do you think you are, anyway?

Shuck you back to earth.)

God, do you think you can find an iron for my old skins?

I know you bring life from bones even

So maybe you could make me some coats

As armour to shield me

And send me on my way as I project forward.

I have dreams.

How many chances left?

We changed the sheets last night but

I already I am thinking of new ones,

Egyptian Cotton smooth

Against my flesh.

7 out of every 24 hours passing I

Rest in this same creased bed I made

Practically a third of my life gone in

Sleep

And yet I’m tired.

Must this release be so gradual?

Cell by cell

Dust to dust

Fade to shine

Dusk to dawn

The sun is rising again. I will straighten up too

And take my chance. No need to look behind, Jane

Those are the old skins.

New creature

^” if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor 5, 17 KJV)

“they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, KJV)

So, what’s next?