Let Go

My pain doesn’t decorate me like precious gems It’s a raggedy noose around my neck That I can’t stop tugging My scars aren’t displayed as badges of honour They’re fetid rotted wounds That I won’t stop picking at My experiences weren’t lessons for growth They’re barbs of poisonous shame That I flagellate myself with daily Mistakenly I thought that I’d let go Confused, yet I thought I’d grown and improved Tender thoughts and hands to myself I must use