Skin

Perhaps it is not what I wear that makes you disapprove

but instead the way it stirs you to think, feel and move.

The way you squirm in your pants uncontrollably

that flares up your senses and makes you angry at me.

Perhaps that you recognise your own lack of control

your own weakness at the sight of a strong female role.

Perhaps it’s not actually the sight of my skin

so common to us all and not just women

that’s so wrong and disgusting and tainted with sin.

But the fact that underneath it all, you are aware

that skin is just skin, it is not so rare.

And instead this projection of sin in your face is your own discomfort

at your increased heart rate.

But of course it is different for someone like you

you can wear what you like, I do not disapprove.

Still, perhaps this indifference ignites your anger

that I do not look at you with disapproval or hunger…

Does my ability to control myself make me that much stronger?

Perhaps when you look at me and shake your head,

in fact you are angry that your eyes are led.

It is not my skin, or my clothes or my hair

but the uncomfortable knowledge that these cause you to stare.

The mere existence of a human of the opposite sex

can stir feelings in you that you’d rather project.

Sure it may be much easier to try to control

what I wear, who I see, how I think, where I go.

But in fact which of us even needs this control?

It is not I with the shame I am whole on my own.

So please take your looks and your judgement of me

and instead use that energy and direct it within.