On my arm is an arrowhead,
Buried under the skin.
It got there by accident,
A silly, stupid whim
Not to wear my suncream,
Not to take care
To cover up and protect
To leave it open, bare.
The arrowhead cut me
And sliced me to the core
And showed my shame to everyone
Who asked what it was for.
But now my arrowhead guides me
It points the way ahead.
Rather than charging into the sun
I should wait a moment instead.
To apply the milk of kindness,
The block that blanks the rays
Of the light that burnt me.
To live another day.