Soft Scarring

 Do not be ashamed of the bruises my darling 

The wounds are a sign of something overcome 

Scars show that from which you have 

Conquered and healed 

Do not put yourself down for your past

There is something to be said 

About someone who chooses 

To continue to be soft 

After being handled and hurt by rough hands

Who did not know how to treat you right 

And if they did, they certainly didn’t show it 

The fact that you would rather 

Be covered in scars and yet

Still choose to give and be kind 

Welcoming the possibility

Of being burned again

Rather than be smooth, spotless, untouched

Beautiful 

But cold, heartless, and distant 

Walled from the world 

That takes such a strength 

That few know how to truly and fully appreciate

And even fewer know how to muster 

-j.p