I didn't want to bite my nails
It was an impulse.
An itch in my brain,
A tick in my fingers.

The thup thup th--
Like a rabbit with a carrot,
I nibbled and gnawed
'Til there was little left.

The raw skin stung
From the leftover saliva.
Turned pink, I know I'd regret it.

Tried to shape the jagged edges,
Biting more off.
Less and less nail,
More and more exposed flesh.

The discomfort made me stop.
I tried to shake off the pain,
I regret biting my nails.