Salamander Skin

You knew where you hid my skin from me.

Tell me where it was that a woman

Just yesterday

Could say a prayer thanking aliveness

Only to die by tomorrow.

Because if you tell me the place

I will place my thumb there

Waiting for the pulse to quicken.

Holding doorways

Closed for a little while longer

Saying my own prayers

Thanking aliveness

In a way

Where I say:

“Please protect my children. Please.”

Then, openi…