Sunburn
Two faced
Right face white with innocence
Left face red with emotion
Skin peeling away years of self
Drying skin, drying soul
Half in the shadows
Half exposed
Weathered
Schism of self
Rebirth, reincarnation,
restoration
Facing destiny in a face off
Too tender today to touch
Tomorrow – cancer,
or tougher skin?
Should I scratch?
Or bear the pain?
Do others recognize the colors?
Do they see what I do?
Do they understand the pain?
My stigma may resolve
But for now my face
is jaded from itself
And I must slowly await
When I am whole again