Transformations

 If your skin sits ill on your shoulders

from prying eyes and 

burning words

cast it off. 

What is underneath is

more than they

can bear--

don't add another layer.

Not a pink hat

a t-shirt

a bracelet. 

What you use to signify 

is too abstract,

a mask--

reify. Render yourself

material and place your staff

deep in the roots of the world. 

You too are bloody red in tooth

and claw--

start remembering

what these things were for.