by Rachel Grandey
You are delicate in this skin and a clumsy touch
would crush you
pallid and translucent as you are.
You are nothing special and cling to the wall that hems you
in, to your fear and shame.
Awaken to the subtle beauty of diffidence
of moonshine shimmering through fluttering wings.
Tread feather-light along your path
and let the stars trace your destination.
Draw strength from the wall of your alighting.
Camouflage is your safety now
until, one day, you learn to traverse the wide-open space
where your fuzzy edges will sharpen and clarify
into a silhouette dancing boldly through the night.
May you learn to live in the skin you have been given
as you search shyly, through the darkness, for the light.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Originally from North-East England, Rachel Grandey studied literature, linguistics, and anthropology before moving to South-East Asia to teach English. She enjoys sea gazing, birdwatching, tea drinking and early morning forest exploring. Her poetry has been published in Vita Poetica, Agape Review and Amethyst Review. She can be found on social media as @RachelGrandey.