i think i’ve had a
sunburn on my soul
for almost
twenty-two years

i’m peeling off skin now
everybody says it’s unsightly
but you can’t stop once you start
it’s all or nothing, baby!

they shined on me so hard
that my joy was quenched
and anger boiled up
to protect me
it covered me
rising from rivers
of tears that were buried within

i don’t get burned
as often or
as badly anymore
but i don’t know
if i’ve found shade and sunscreen
or have just become calloused

thick skin has too many stories to tell