(to write love on her arms)
..
Scars are souvenirs you never lose. – GooGoo Dolls
Ask her about her wrists,
and she’ll tell you
she used
to mar(k) her skin
with sharp
to chase the dark
-ness, pierced her veins
to see the stains
as signs
of life.
Inquire after
her heart, and she’ll
say it’s seen a battle
or two, come out
the other side a
small crushed wad
of goo, still
beating.
These days, instead,
she etches
in ink.
..
Whimsygizmo's Blog 
scars and pain are indelible.
Etching in ink…I wait for your sketches each day. The scars you share with us everyday.
I was reluctant to comment on this, but I will. My daughter use to etch on her arm and after a long journey has recently been following her goal to finish her education. I’m very proud her ability of overcome her past and see a future. I’m very happy that you are etching in ink!
Olga, my heart goes out to your daughter, and I’m so glad she’s an overcomer. This poem is not autobiographical, but I have friends for whom it speaks. My scars have fallen a little differently over the years, but I do still express my need for answers, grace, solice with ink. 😉
Thank-you for the response. I will be more careful next time in assuming the scars are personal. A lesson to learn in blogging. 🙂
Please don’t apologize. It’s a compliment for a poem to be taken personally, ALWAYS.
My son (14) also has a friend (female) who talks about cutting, often. We are keeping our eyes, ears and hearts open to her…as well as our prayers.
Teenage years can be very difficult for some!
I like this, deep yet a positive twist
A beautiful and powerful poem about very real pain.
Ink-wire after her heart and shell…I love that embedded layer. Makes me picture using a straightened hanger to poke with.