Not My Skin
By M Khamal Murray

I’ve never liked my skin,
Not it’s tone or hue
But its nature to feel uncomfortable
To be scarred by opinions on it,
To be taunted and genderized

I’ve never liked my skin
Especial after you’ve finished with it,
After you’ve kissed and squeezed it,
After you’ve bit and bruised it,
My skin itches for you
Like a young thing craves a mother

I’ve never liked my skin
Even when I’m alone in the dark
I’m tormented by demons
Telling me how I’m supposed to be
How my skin is suppose to fit,
How my skin has a history I must honor

I’ve never liked my skin because it’s not my own,
I wish I could peel it off and mold my own,
Manipulate the contours, sockets, muscles
Where my body stands anomalous among the DNA replicants called hu-mans.
I want to command my life,
Like the collective commands my skin.

Artwork by M. Khamal Murray

M. Khamal Murray is a major in Bioethics & Equity at the University of Toronto. He is a published freelance journalist, and writer with the Jamaican Canadian Xpress. He is also a film opinionist and contributor to online News Mag Alternavox, and guest writer here at Hye’s Musings.