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My Skin Tab

by Natalie Merchant


                 
Take a look at my body
          
Look at my hands
           
There's so much here

That I don't understand 

                  
Your face saving promises
                 
Whispered like prayers

I don't need them

I don't need them 

            
I've been treated so wrong
            
I've been treated so long
                   
As if I'm becoming untouchable 

                    
Contempt loves the silence
                   
It thrives in the dark
         
With fine winding tendrils
        
That strangle the heart 

              
They say that promises
          
Sweeten the blow

But I don't need them

No, I don't need them 

            
I've been treated so wrong
             
I've been treated so long
                    
As if I'm becoming untouchable 

       
I'm a slow dying flower
 
Frost killing hour
      
The sweet turning sour
        
And untouchable 


O, I need
       
The darkness
       
The sweetness
       
The sadness
       
The weakness
      
I need this 


I need
    
 lullaby
    
A kiss goodnight
 
Angel sweet
 
Love of my life
         
O, I need this 

                   
Do you remember the way
                     
That you touched me before
                  
All the trembling sweetness
    
I loved and adored? 
                  
Your face saving promises
               
Whispered like prayers
         
I don't need them
               
No, I don't need them 


O, I need
     
The darkness
     
The sweetness
     
The sadness
     
The weakness
      
I need this 


I need
    
 lullaby
   
A kiss goodnight
   
The angel sweet
       
Love of my life
      
I need this 

       
Is it dark enough? 
      
Can you see me? 
      
Do you want me? 
       
Can you reach me? 
       
Or I'm leaving 
              
You better shut your mouth
            
Hold your breath
                  
Kiss me now you'll catch my death
         
O, I mean it