There is no sound in the world that sounds like skin on skin. And yet, there are so many ways for even that sound to vary.

Tonight in the sauna someone was pounding on the muscles on his legs, undoubtedly to release tightness — his own skin meeting itself.

The sound of a slap is very different, sharp, but still distinctively skin against skin.

Two bodies meeting each other in energetic sex is another variation, yet the resonance is still . . . skin.

Two bodies making slow, passionate love, wet and sliding across each other, is yet another skin sound.

Skin being massaged is a little different yet, quiet but sensuous . . . it's skin on skin.

And finally, hands clapping. Two palms slapping together in appreciation is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world.

So what is so unique about this substance that covers our skeletons, that is our calling card in the world? What makes its sound so distinguishable from others? Scientists could probably tell us, but maybe not. Hollywood Foley artists might be able to duplicate it . . . but maybe not.

Psychologists stress the importance of touch in our lives. Children who aren't held sufficiently suffer from "failure to thrive," a web of symptoms. Elderly people have the same problem. Their bodies are no longer attractive, or perhaps people just forget to touch them beyond taking care of their essential needs. Having a diaper changed and having skin stroked are such very different experiences.

It's such an easy thing to do, to touch someone gently. Not everyone will appreciate it, but the ones who do, really do. Even if they don't know it.

Photo by Bailoo