Can I just peel myself like a snake and leave this all behind?

Take off these layers of hurt and sorrow and drop it behind me.

It itches and I want to take it off

And leave it behind

Maybe, if I just go rub it against the sun-warmed rocks it’ll fall away.

I can curl up in the warmth and doze

And let the energy of the earth bring me back to life.

I’ll warn away anyone who comes close with a violent buzz

They’ll know I’ll strike if they approach

And will leave me to my peace

This thing that leaves me in pieces

I’ve grown too big for this skin

It’s more than I can take

It needs to come off

There is more to me

I can peel it away and be made anew

I can hide in the quiet places

Shadowed from your sight

It will keep me safe

This silent, dusty place

Where I leave my skin behind