Getting undressed

 We put on identities like clothes

Picking out the labels and traits 

Like shirts and shoes

We choose what fits 

What feels comfortable 

What others think looks good on us

We'll wear thick jackets 

To protect against the cold of rejection 

We'll wear silk shirts 

To disguise the jagged raging landscape within

We'll wear the camouflage of modesty

To make us invisible in the chaotic scenery 

Of being human

When we grow out of an article

We'll discard it, and in the same way

We discard past versions of ourselves 

Sometimes we put things on

That don't quite fit

That are uncomfortable

That accentuate the parts of ourselves

We think are desirable

And hide the parts we are ashamed of

We might wear the same clothes for days

Sometimes years

As they turn to rags

We'll Wonder why we feel torn up

We might change our clothes

Several times a day

When nothing seems to feel

Quite right

We rummage and scour our closets and dressers

Looking for an old outfit

Something sentimental and pleasant

With horror we realize we'd outgrown it

Disposed of it

And so disposed of a something we cherished.

Often when meeting people 

Revealing ourselves feels like

Getting undressed

Rarely will we ever allow ourselves 

To be fully naked 

Even with the partners we make love to

And if we do disrobe completely 

showing our fully naked selves

There's discomfort and embarrassment for all involved

It's rare to encounter another soul

You'll strip down in front of

Do a little twirl

Show off your shame

Timidly asking

Can you accept me?

The whole nakedness 

Of my being

It's why we turn the lights off

Before making love

Or find candle light romantic 

The flickering and shadows

Hiding our embarrassment 

Our scars and shameful parts

But still we make love with our souls

Fully dressed