Overcrowded

I Sit on a stage built for one

The world my eager audience.

Ravenous eyes pierce my skin;

Their hungry hands

Stitch up, lift up, pin up

My pretty fleshy pieces

For spotlights of backlight

To Illuminate my shame.

Glowing stains of imperfections

Screaming as our audience feeds.

Dirty fingernails find refuge in skin

Clawing, pulling, tearing;

Fighting the flesh;

The desperate cage failing to contain us

Our Shell pulled taut

CRACKS

Sated eyes look

Through us, over us, past us;

For a new feast.

Broken skin falls back into place;

Screaming captors return to their whispers

Again I sit on a stage built for one

Overcrowded.

 

Author's Note

This started as a poem about the feeling that everyone notices your every mistake and flaw. Then it sort of developed a mind of it's own, accidentally got sexualized in the first stanza, and turned into a poem about a lot of things. I suppose in a nutshell you could say it's a poem about feeling exposed and laid bare, while at the same time feeling uncomfortable in your own skin.

Though I am very much a fan of the idea that poetry means different things to the reader than it may to the writer. So take from it what you will.

Oh, and yes the switch to our and we in the middle is intentional.

Reviews

[McBear]

I really like this, its descriptive and provides a clear picture in my mind about what's going on. Very good job! If you wouldn't mind, maybe read a Chapter or two of my "The LDR Love Story" If you're not into that kind of thing, maybe check out "Trapped". Thanks!

[Dani The Unreviewed]

Okay, the author note spoiled the fun of guessing what was in your mind when writing this beautiful piece. Has a good punch. I can relate to other people exaggerating your flaws, and seeing nothing but the mistakes made. It is sometimes so frustrating, that i feel like shooting them... lol. Awesome write. I'm adding it in my favorites.