Octavia

She lifted herself up, and said unto them

In God studies at school, we learned about 
Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Julian of Norwich.

'Altruistic' my teacher would trill

(She had no ankles, and wrote

Religiously to Her Girls who went to Oxbridge).

I would note take, nod,

Summarise and memorise:

But, blotchy clotdark inside of me

I wondered if really they did it for them.

Doesn't knowing people think you to be

A saviour, sinner, whatever

Give you 

Pleasure, meaning, whatever

In itself?

I believe in many things

But I don't believe in altruism,

And now, I dangle saltwater heavy

And scoop out handfuls of blogs:

Love, abuse, sex and hate and

I don't believe in them, either.

Let he who is without ego

Post the first blog. 

What your parents say (it's true)

We are an ex

Centric couple.

Far from the centre

We orbit, darkly,

In our own gravitational pull.

For you

But now

I feel most naked when I'm fully clothed:

Bustled up, layers heavy on my skin

Tuft wool silk lining

Leaving me exposed.

With you

I skin my self, and I am diving free:

Softpink flesh, hair bracing in the wind

Cold pale vein shiver

Leaving me beloved.