Please don’t judge me
for these clothes I wear,
thinking what you see
to be accurate and fair.

Some of what is worn,
new and smelling fresh,
others less so,
passed down once no longer needed
to warm another’s flesh.

Change these threads do,
given the passing of the season,
Ultimately worn to protect
regardless the given reason.

For no garment can really speak
of that who I may be,
as what they hold inside,
so different to what you see.

Clothe our shame we must
as is cultures design,
showing strength and purpose
and that everything is fine.

But underneath it all,
hidden by stitch and seam,
I am just vulnerable, needy and naked
no matter how well chosen,
my wonderful color scheme.

(Poem taken from Beyond the Falling)