Almanac Poetry: ‘Skin’ – Tommy Mallet

 

 

 

 

Skin

 

The alarm goes off,
pleasant tones failing to disguise
its violet intent.

 

My body feels smooth, clean,
warm under cover,
while, in the bathroom,
work clothes wait
where I peeled them off on dusk,
a collapsed version of me,

 

this second skin,

 

crusted mud, blood, sweat,
their smells,
my outer self, unwashed for weeks,
without purpose to be clean,

 

a prison,
until in full motion.

 

A person not wanting to be worn today.

 

I’d rather write,
be fat, interesting.
Yet force myself into
myself,
soon enough.

 

For breakfast I eat
avocado on olive sourdough,
rocking awkwardly back-and-forward
from the groin,
with the rarity of its treat,

 

before walking out the door,
into work boots,
as invisible as every other day.

 

 

 

 

 

More poetry from Tommy Mallet can be read Here.

 

 

More poetry from Almanac Poetry can be read HERE

 

 

If you would like to receive the Almanac Music and Poetry newsletter we will add you to the list. Please email us: [email protected]

 

To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au  home page click HERE

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

 

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE