that bruised and contused
epidermis after a skirmish
bandaged and anti-somethinged
for whatever next is coming

that fleshed out scathe of
open wound from what was said
and the way the knife turned
as it quickly sliced out pride

some diligent nursing will
form some scars to cover
the vulnerability felt, raw
but too, will deaden the nerve

lord, to be like you
and forgive for what they do
defeathered and skinned
soul bared from within

thin skin or no skin
what matters most
is what's within
close to the bone
the marrow of the matter

© Goode Guy 2011-09-09