12 April 2014

Thick Skin




Longing is the soft outer covering
     of vertebrates
Longing is our largest organ
Longing therefore sensation
     (burning is the worst)
Naked longing leads to moisture
     blood, sweat, tears, you
Tattoo longing with words
Treat longing with more words
Tender longing in silence



Written for the fun prompt Day Twelve at NaPoWriMo.  
Posted also at Poetry Pantry #197.

Copyright © 2014  S.L.Chast



18 comments:

  1. To smother that longing is like killing that passion & blood & tears ~ A new perspective on longing as our largest organ ~ Happy weekend Susan ~

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  2. A fascinating perspective here, Susan. We all long for things in our lives, and hopefully much of what we long for can be attained & able to relieve the burning sensation within.

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  3. i like your description of longing..

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  4. I had never thought of longing in such a thought-provoking way, Susan. Longing is what drives us to go forward as long as we can 'feed' it in some way or other.

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  5. I'm speechless longing for the right words to compliment this piece. Wonderful, comes to mind :-)

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  6. There is so much truth here Susan--and just gorgeous writing!

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  7. Having those longings is sometimes what keeps us going.

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  8. longing leads to pain though
    as long as you are prepared for it
    its the risk you take...
    perhaps that is where the thick skin comes in...

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  9. does longing reveal a bit of emptiness i wonder...and i love your unique use of the word 'longing' in the sentences...
    like ZQ i'm speechless longing too.. :)

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  10. "Longing is our largest organ". This is so true, it takes my breath away. Wow.

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  11. luv the metaphor of skin used, have a nice Sunday

    Tuesday April 22nd is Earth Day and Thursday April 24 is 'A Poem In Your Pocket Day' , please share in the 2014 celebrations here

    http://myblog-lunchbreak.blogspot.com/

    much love...

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  12. Ok now I understand why we are told to be thick skinned.
    It is so true of each sense like the fresh bud pursuing the sun's rays longing for warmth.

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  13. I think this is wonderful, you never cease to surprise me with to what extent your words can touch me. This is so beautiful. We have a very special word for longing that helps me perfectly translate the feeling contained here. http://www.beaheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/yes-this-is-what-i-have-of-my-children..jpeg

    Love it Susan. My tattoos are some sort of longing written on my skin. At the time I got the first one ("Let Go"), I wrote this poem:

    :: Ink ::

    under my skin

    to let you go,
    to stand on my feet
    and watch you

    leaving.



    Kiss. <3

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  14. I love this take on longing, especially the part about longing being our largest organ!

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  15. Interesting poem. The longing involves suffering and sensitivity and a search for meaning whereas the cardboard cutout can survive steamrollering without feeling anything much except in the situation of the loss of money resulting in the only pain these types can ever experience.

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  16. inventive and persuasive ~

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  17. 'Tender longing in silence'---how true is that to me. These are fresh perspectives i really liked. Smiles.

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