In His Skin

In His Skin

Pop strips his summer shirt;

tropical summer never suits him.

She imagines

he removes his skin as well;

spreads it on the clothesline.

She wears the skin in his absence.

It fits her well some days;

some days she sinks inside the skin

and it hides her-

an expanding shadow, a basement away from the family.

She wants the hold of the skin,

building a wheelchair ramp or axing the fallen limbs.

Pop does them all.

Summer comes down with a storm

stealing everything off the clothesline.

©All rights are reserved by Kushal Poddar, 2011

Comments: 26

Kasey Klein May 13, 2011, 8:50pm UTC

Thanks for posting to Short Story and More!

Kushal Poddar May 13, 2011, 9:08pm UTC

Thank you Karl. How are you?

reply to this comment

Chris Brockman May 13, 2011, 8:58pm UTC

Indeed, we cannot try to live in another's "skin." Reality will have its way despite our disguise. How profound simple truths become in the skin of your masterful verse.

Kushal Poddar May 13, 2011, 9:09pm UTC

Yet we at one point of youth lived in it or wished we could

Chris Brockman May 13, 2011, 10:12pm UTC

Ah youth. You're absolutely right. there. That's why "maturity" generally only comes as we grow older. Of course, most of us never fully outgrow wanting to be like a hero, a sports or movie star, or the worst, a mere celebrity. That can lead to never being satisfied with our own lives. On the other hand, we need role models, heros, and ideals to shoot for. We need to not underestimate ourselves or passively accept others' view of us. I guess the key is "reality," which will prove itself in the end. But, isn't that what you wrote?

reply to this comment

stephen berwaldt May 13, 2011, 8:59pm UTC

If you think filling someones shoes is tough...try filling their skin...
I can picture this...

Thanks for sharing with Gather's Best Writers and Artists.

Kushal Poddar May 13, 2011, 9:09pm UTC

Stephen, in my youth. I am now trying to fill my own one.

reply to this comment

Len Maxwell May 13, 2011, 9:00pm UTC

You always throw in a couple of things that make me wonder if I'm reading it right. Well done.

Thanks for sharing with The Triple Name Club.

Kushal Poddar May 13, 2011, 9:14pm UTC

Thank you Len

reply to this comment

Angela A. May 13, 2011, 9:23pm UTC

That grand wind always carries away the days laundry.

Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!

Make your own banner at MyBannerMaker.com!

Kushal Poddar May 13, 2011, 9:54pm UTC

Thank you dear angel

reply to this comment

Franklin Newman May 14, 2011, 12:44am UTC

She wants what he has, because he's not using it right. Is she suffering from hubris or merely impatience?

Kushal Poddar May 14, 2011, 8:51pm UTC

Or a world within a world syndrome?

reply to this comment

Bernard C. May 14, 2011, 5:30am UTC

Putting ourselves out to dry once in a while can do some good - a relief that it is all natural - very interesting perspective - everything more of less for herself - thanks for sharing :-)

Thanks for submitting to
The Surreal Circus.

Kushal Poddar May 14, 2011, 8:50pm UTC

Very well said, Bernard

reply to this comment

Darin Waugh May 14, 2011, 8:08am UTC

Nice!

Kushal Poddar May 14, 2011, 8:49pm UTC

Thank you Darin

reply to this comment

Richard B. May 14, 2011, 8:30am UTC

agreed, fine job

Kushal Poddar May 14, 2011, 8:49pm UTC

Thank you Richard

reply to this comment

Terry Collett May 14, 2011, 2:03pm UTC

Why do I stay away from you so long knowing your write such fine poetry? I am sorry. I love the poem here & the theme delivered.

Kushal Poddar May 14, 2011, 8:46pm UTC

Thank you Terry. Missing you

Robert - just a simple man - B. May 15, 2011, 1:33am UTC

We all have to keep our distance Terry for fear, compared to Ku, our own writings don't measure up.

Or maybe he just has b.o.

:+)

(luv ya brudder)

reply to this comment

JustMe ~I'm happy to be~ May 14, 2011, 9:50pm UTC

The key is to become comfortable in our own skin. Perhaps we have to try on all types before we come to this realization.

reply to this comment

Robert - just a simple man - B. May 15, 2011, 1:31am UTC

God made each skin for one's own use. Under duress or extraordinary times we may be able to loan them out, but each skin is still one's own. And we are all fortunate you have the skin of a poet.

Second thought: Lots of reptilian overtures to this, Ms. Purrr would have enjoyed this.

reply to this comment

Priya P. May 16, 2011, 11:00am UTC

I agree with Michelle, sometimes we have to try various skins, perhaps even unknowingly, before we realize that we can only be satisfied in the skin we were born in. Like Len, I have to read and reread your poetry plus all comments before I realize the fortune in the cookie.

reply to this comment

Sharon P. May 17, 2011, 12:28pm UTC

Life gives us many skins. Each experience adds new.

reply to this comment

In His Skin

13 people recommend this post

Comments: 26

Join the Conversation