The Blood & The Bones

bruised.

she feels the most alluring
just before
intact
untouched
but I say no
no because
unhindered perfection
never suited my mind or my body
it is better when handled
when dealt with
left in breathless disarray
mauled, battered, flushed
red handprints framing slopes and curves
purple streaks within a gold rush
take, give, grab, release
the skin at the end
the story of the struggle
this is when I am the most of me
natural and beautiful
marred, undone
left with proof that shows
exactly
how I was loved

the blood
& the bones