Undisguised, Inside

Laying naked, plain and undisguised.

I reach achingly for the sky.

Except, I am inside: a white tile bathroom.

I clutch my ears to escape the volume.

They taunt and tease inside my head.

They say, “we won’t stop until you're dead.”

I stripped away my clothes and concealer.

When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t even know her.

Mom says, “maybe it’s time to learn to love yourself.”

Mom, I can’t even imagine liking myself.

So I sit in the empty bath and try to touch the sky.

Except I’m not even out there: I’m inside.