I keep a shoe box beneath my bed.
Some nights,
when the curtains are stitched closed,
latch drawn
windows nailed shut,
I fumble with the sellotape seal,
nails scrabbling for an edge,
ripping slips free with cardboard kisses
printed on the undersides.
Folded,
wrapped and stacked within,
my skins crinkle like tissue.
These are the ones I do not wear
in front of other people.
A few I do not recognise.
The measurements are not mine,
and they swirl and eddie
around my limbs
like riptides filled with rope.
Once upon a time someone said
I would grow into them.
My bones would learn how to fit
inside another’s flesh
without tearing through the seams.
I wonder whose skin they took,
when they felt they had to shed their own.
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Published by Carol J Forrester
Carol J Forrester is a writer and a history geek. Her debut collection 'It's All In The Blood' came out November 2019.
She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can.
Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon.Her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears.
She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works.
View all posts by Carol J Forrester
Intriguing and startling, Carol. I love this poem.
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it.