i was always told to hide
my scars
under long sleeves
in the heat of summer
with long skirts
and opaque layers
no one can see
for the questions they’ll ask
i can't answer
because these scars
they are signs of vulnerability
each one tallying
a moment of defeat
another battle lost
more casualty
though the blood no longer
stains my skin
but me, myself, and I
am a sign of perseverance
i still breathe
and run and jump
i’ve endured the war
each scar tallying
a moment of survival
another fight won
so don’t tell me to hide
my scars
i wear each one proudly
medals of honor
and the questions you’ll ask
i’ll answer and say
"Yes, my scars are still here,
but so am I.”
Mar 30, 2014
Mar 30, 2014 at 1:38 AM UTC
i was always told to hide
my scars
under long sleeves
in the heat of summer
with long skirts
and opaque layers
no one can see
for the questions they’ll ask
i can't answer
because these scars
they are signs of vulnerability
each one tallying
a moment of defeat
another battle lost
more casualty
though the blood no longer
stains my skin
but me, myself, and I
am a sign of perseverance
i still breathe
and run and jump
i’ve endured the war
each scar tallying
a moment of survival
another fight won
so don’t tell me to hide
my scars
i wear each one proudly
medals of honor
and the questions you’ll ask
i’ll answer and say
"Yes, my scars are still here,
but so am I.”
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