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Spoken version
A recorded reading of “Holy Sin / Unholy Skin”. If the player does not load, use the original audio source.
You paint a cross with lipstick red Where shirt-stays used to bit my neck. You whisper mercy by my head— “Be brave, don’t counterfeit.” I count the beats your pulse lets in— Ten small prayers on unholy skin. Holy sin— Let me in. Unholy skin— Say amen. We dance like saints on trembling knees, Floor-tom thunder, static breeze. You grip my fate with gloved intent; I take the blow and call it lent. Your breath is frankincense and gin; I kneel and say: begin. Holy sin— Let me in. Unholy skin— Say amen. Bridge: your ring leaves a crescent welt; I taste iron where the promise knelt. Holy sin— Let me in, Or brand me clean— I won’t pretend. Unholy skin— Say amen.
Lyrics
You paint a cross with lipstick red Right where my collar used to sit You whisper mercy by my head Then say be brave, don’t counterfeit I count the beats your pulse lets in Ten small prayers on unholy skin Holy sin Let me in Unholy skin Say amen We dance like saints with broken knees Floor tom thunder, flares of breeze You grip my fate with gloved intent I take the blow, I call it lent Your breath is frankincense and gin I’m on my knees, I say begin Holy sin Let me in Unholy skin Say amen Touch me, brand me Love me, damn me Holy sin Let me in Unholy skin Say amen
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