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Raw

"My Skin" - Natalie Merchant

I sat in a crowded lounge filled with people I knew and some I didn't know. This was a side of work I rarely get to see after hours and for a moment I left my agenda at the door and allowed myself the pleasure of enjoying the company of coworkers. I guess with a few mixed drinks and no priority lists, it's not too far-fetched to believe that we can all laugh, play and have a good time just the same.

This wasn't just a simple get-together. We were invited to launch an event for our company's PSA announcement called This Is Me, Raw. I didn't know what to expect as the projector rolled down and the short footage began to play. All I knew was that a few good men were asked to confess something on camera about their own personal lives. They removed an article of clothing for every detail they disclosed. To "strip down" if you will, not only in a physical sense but also mentally and emotionally. Their fears, worries, who they loved and lost, and who they still loved...Sharing an intimate part of themselves and being comfortable with who they are today.

Here were stories, real and honest stories of people whose lives changed forever. And some who can't change what happened no matter what they did or how hard they tried. For those few, what's done is done. Their experiences made me rethink my own. I watched all of this unfold in front of me and couldn't help, but feel selfish and silly for all the petty bullsh*t I've consumed myself with since the summer came to an end. I watched hoping that someday soon I'll once again be good with me in my own skin.

Lyrics:

Take a look at my body
Look at my hands
There's so much here
That I don't understand

Your face saving promises
Whispered like prayers
I don't need them
I don't need them

I've been treated so wrong
I've been treated so long
As if I'm becoming untouchable

Contempt loves the silence
It thrives in the dark
With fine winding tendrils
That strangle the heart

They say that promises
Sweeten the blow
But I don't need them
No, I don't need them

I've been treated so wrong
I've been treated so long
As if I'm becoming untouchable

I'm a slow dying flower
Frost killing hour
The sweet turning sour
And untouchable

O, I need
The darkness
The sweetness
The sadness
The weakness
I need this

I need
A lullaby
A kiss goodnight
Angel sweet
Love of my life
O, I need this

Do you remember the way
That you touched me before
All the trembling sweetness
I loved and adored?

Your face saving promises
Whispered like prayers
I don't need them
No, I don't need them

O, I need
The darkness
The sweetness
The sadness
The weakness
I need this

I need
A lullaby
A kiss goodnight
The angel sweet
Love of my life
I need this

Is it dark enough?
Can you see me?
Do you want me?
Can you reach me?
Or I'm leaving

You better shut your mouth
Hold your breath
Kiss me now you'll catch my death
O, I mean it


http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/nataliemerchant/myskin.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704009804575309183533157688.html

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