#31WriteNow: My Poetry Corner XIII "Written On My Skin"

I've been fighting writing this for months. But, pieces of this poem kept coming to me. Last night, it demanded to be written so I obliged. I've tried to not write about what I'm feeling and going through and failed. I'm not an abstract writer. I have to write what's on my heart. Unfortunately, the only tune in my heart is one about heartbreak and love shit. So, this is what happens when I follow my heart. Hope this piece moves you like it does me. 

I hid inside my words so they wouldn’t see the hurt
I wrote so that my pain wouldn’t touch anyone else 
I wanted to write the sadness away
All I did was expose my soul 
I’m naked on that page, on this blog 
My head hangs low so I don’t have to meet his eyes 
I know he’s watching me from afar
Reading the words scribbled on my milk chocolate skin 

Every inch of my body is a diary entry to him
Every word, each thought came from knowing and loving him
The love, the pain, all the happiness and eventual sadness  

I recorded it all in my heart 
It pumped through my veins
Everything I wrote was for him
Even when I tried not to, especially when I tried not to  

Water can’t wash him off of me 
I’ve tried to scrub the words away
Love doesn’t come off so easily
I stand here covered in these words
no longer ashamed 
Because I took a chance 
I loved him fiercely
and with my whole heart and it didn’t last
So I’ll write about that until it doesn’t hurt anymore

Rest In Paradise, Etta James

Soulful singer Etta James passed away on January 20, 2012. She was 73. Etta was known for her soulful voice. She was also known for her figure and bleached blond hair. When she sang, you could feel the hurt, pain, and love in every note. Her voice made me feel something. I remember being a kid and hearing "At Last" for the first time. It made me feel a happiness deep in my soul. I just knew that this is what real love is supposed to feel like.. I can honestly say that I didn't know a whole lot about Ms. James before the "Cadillac Records" movie came out. I'm grateful for the film because it made me more interested in her story. She lived a hell of a life. She survived all of her demons and the ills of the music industry. Ms. James was a feisty woman. She had spanking and attitude and she knew her voice was golden. She will certainly be missed. Below are some of my favorite Etta James tracks. May she rest in paradise.