Paper can be temporary
or permanent.
skin, however,
is only ever the latter

so i cut paper.
firstly, take a sharp pen
dripping with ink
and drag it along the creamy white sheet

slowly at first.
watch the ink mark the paper
leave the tip there for a while
watch the pool of ink gather

then let your anger out
rip into the paper
tear it, scrape it, drag it
write every emotion down

feel your emotions through the pen
not the pain
you don't need scars
to be reminded of your actions

after you're done
take the spoiled sheet
put it somewhere safe
put the pen away

next time, take the sheet and read it.
read the emotions, and remember the feeling
of pen ripping through paper.
put the blade away.

pick up your pen instead
paper can be thrown away
or it can be kept as a reminder
skin however, has not got this choice

"cut paper not skin"

~E.Y.