The Skin I'm In

I recently joined a writing group. Once a week we meet virtually for an hour and a half. Our amazing teacher, Anna Guest-Jelley, selects three poems as jumping off points. After she reads a poem, we free write for eight minutes using the poem as inspiration. Then we read what we wrote out loud to the group. There is no discussion about our writing, no critique, no questions and no apologies that our work “isn’t that good”. At the start of class, our wise teacher reminds us “we are not trying to impress anyone, not even ourselves”.

Below is a gently edited free-write I wrote during the class that really resonates with me. I hope it resonates with you as well:

The Skin I am In

Moving from a harder body to a softer one.

From brown hair to grey.

From monthly cycles to who the hell knows my cycle.

From the rhythms of childcare and the neediness of children to children who are independent and find my advice annoying.

To nights in rather than parties; playing quordle rather than going to clubs

Wanting real conversation instead of fake ones.

I have opened myself up in a way that makes me more vulnerable and fragile but much more fulfilled. I don’t have time for unnecessary drama or silliness. I no longer want to be someone’s audience. I want to engage, connect, love, learn and grow. The youthful skin I have left behind also sheds the superficiality.

I just wish my cohort would join me. Skip the botox appointments and eat the damn cookie.

Come on in, the water is fine.