Did you ever,
in the midst of not liking yourself,
momentarily love yourself,
so much so, you wanted to kiss
your own skin?

Wanted to taste
what others taste
as they lick
and nibble you away?

Did you ever,
ever in your life, forget strife,
and concentrate on the flesh
that holds your soul and heart,
to such an extent,
you were a mouth
of exploration – of self?

Did you ever want to shout,
“I Am Me!”? Did you ever
want to be the one
who kissed your shoulder?

Kissed your own skin,
to savor the beginning
of entitied sin?

Did you ever,
in the midst of loving yourself,
momentarily love everyone else,
so much so, you wanted to kiss
their skins,
and nibble them away?

Erin Elizabeth Kelly-Moen
© Copyright 5/2/05