Cutting Away The Callus

A whole year of irritation

rubbing in new ways

rubbing in old ways

never snug 
never held just right 

Layers built upon layers 

raised 

hard 

unmoving 

unchanging 

I need circulation 

I need fresh skin 

healthy and smooth 

So my razor’s out 

sharp 

pointed 

held at an angle 

slowly 

slicing away 

bits of 

doubt 

routine 

stagnation 

Down to the soft 

down to the new 

down to the warmth 

My pen at an angle 

my ink sharpens 

I cut steadily 

until my paper reveals 

the words that were always there

April 1, 2020

Day 1 of 30

National Global Poetry Writing Month