The Callous
It didn’t happen all at once
The stress of impact
And the heat of friction
Combined
Has a natural result
The flesh builds up
Hard
Unyielding
A natural protection
Tender flesh
burns and throbs
When exposed to
The abuses of life
But
Repeated exposures
build up a defense
as time goes by
the hardened flesh
becomes a shelter
necessary for survival
It becomes safe to endure
to even pursue
mild pain
it hurts less than joy.
as pain gives way to pleasure
the callous softens
leaving only tender flesh
once barricades stood defense
now a gentle stream takes there place
(2014)
