New Skin

I’m in a thunderous silence
In the corner, like a snake, waiting to shed its skin
My body works while my mind atrophies
Expending as little energy as possible
Aware of the damage my karma might do

I lie and watch
Lie and listen
As the demons try to get my attention
They use jackhammers and leaf blowers
Scattering thoughts in small noisy whirlwinds

I don’t have the strength for them
They’ll eventually get tired
And probably sit down near me
Either pissed off or complacent
Like spoilt children
They won’t leave

The same flies
Laying the same eggs
Breeding the same maggots
They continually live off the dead parts of me

I don’t have time for them
I’m itchy, waiting to shed this tight skin
They can fight over the cast off when I am done
For now, I have to wait
To allow the dull, dry membrane to film over
Like parchment

Scraping myself along rough objects
Loosening, abrading the obsolete bits and pieces
Sloughing off the residual coat which no longer offers protection
It is old and scarred
Yet, underneath - new and fresh and shiny

It will glisten opalescent
Catching bits of color
Maybe envy…
But I will know, that beneath this slick advertising,
Lies the same cold heart

And I,
Seek the warmth