More sunburn

My velvet bruise

turns crimson

in the salty sun’s

summer stain

and my body crumbles

because it is used

to kinder temperatures

when the sky isn’t so cruel

and does not try to infect

my freckled

speckled skin

and make me ash

buttered up

and battered

Sun burn

Because our pale legs

prove more prominent

does not mean we are less real

or human?

Because life is ‘pretty’

And last time I checked

This flesh was living

had a pulse

and bruised

hard

and blue

and pink

bluer and pinker than you

and wider

more clearly pained