Skin.

Respond
Quickly. Precisely.
As each chord is strung

And little ripples
chasms, they break out
graining the surface...

The transformation
is not permanent

the shining smooth outwardness
reveals an untouched core...

The story
thus ends
as it begins,

The ink
barely seeping
newer boundaries,

The promises
barely reaching
desired ears...

Love succumbs
only skin deep...