The skin remembers

the gentle touch, the goosebumps,

the splash of blood, the scratch of nails,

the wind against the fur, the summer rain.

And it carries to the next life or form;

when it is Preserved but not Respected,

the skin can also hold a grudge.

It remembers every kindness, every cruelty,

every cringe, cut, and crisis. It’s smart,

sophisticated, full of pride and worry

what will become of it.

But most of all,

The skin remembers the skinning.