Skin

The largest organ of the body is your skin
And if you suffer sexual violation
It can feel as though it no longer belongs to you
Every atom a stranger, you whisper, ‘Can it be true?’

But your skin keeps holding you together
Its primary function being to tether
All of you just as you are, your bones, organs, muscles, blood,
Even as you try to process that which can’t be understood

Physical cuts and bruises heal rapidly
Compared to wounds of the mind which can linger drastically
Since skin is your external protector, it does what it is able
Keeping you whole when you feel anything but stable

And when you are ready to face your ordeal
Taking the first steps to recover and heal
Life starts to open exciting new doors
Remember that your skin, your body
and your mind have always been yours.

Lottie Quirk