Marked by Life

Our veins are veins in leaves,
and even if you hate them,
without them, the world would wither.

Our scars are maps of storms we survived,
and even if you wish they weren’t there,
they trace the paths that made us strong.

Our tears are rain,
and even if they fall too freely,
they flow through the rivers that make the earth bloom.

Our freckles are the speckled moon,
and even if you wish they would vanish,
the night would be empty without them.

Our hair is a field of wild grass,
sometimes tangled, sometimes soft,
and even if you fight it,
it grows freely, reaching for light,
holding the small storms and sunlight of your life.

Our hands are rough,
our nails chipped, our knuckles bent,
and even if you hide them,
they build, they hold, they reach.

Our lips are dry,
chapped, sometimes trembling,
and even if you hate them,
they speak our truth, carry our laughter, and taste life.

Our eyes bear the weight of endless nights,
the bags under them formed by studying, by striving, by thinking too much,
and even if you see only fatigue,
they have witnessed dreams, hope, and all the worlds you’ve imagined.

They say our bodies are too thin, too fat, too soft, too strong,
and even if the world tells us to change, to cut, to sculpt, to mask with plastic,
we do not need to.
They move, they hold, they love, they are home.
We are perfect..

Every vein, scar, tear, freckle, strand, hand, lip, eye, and body
is exactly what makes us alive.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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12
Haywood Avatar
April 24, 2026 at 12:47 PM
This is probably one of the best that I have read, where everything is sensible as well as true. Young or old, we are what we are and there is no changing it. Well done,
Chircop Avatar
April 26, 2026 at 4:45 AM
Thankyou so so much!
Poetry Avatar
April 19, 2026 at 4:34 PM
We come together with the world through all of the senses.. Our heart, our mind, our soul.notice and feel all.you capture through your meaningful verse. Welcome to P.S.
Chircop Avatar
April 24, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Thankyou so much!
Haywood Avatar
April 17, 2026 at 5:45 PM
I really liked this. It made me think about everything mentioned and accept it. Thank you Christina. - Chris
Chircop Avatar
April 24, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Thankyou so much
bard Avatar
April 3, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Chircop Avatar
April 3, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Thank you so much, I really appreciate!
bard Avatar
April 3, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Good day Christina Congratulations on POTD All three poems you have posted are worthy of this award and I believe poem of the week Look forward to many more Blessings Douglas
Allison Avatar
April 2, 2026 at 1:45 PM
What a brilliant poem, you have such wisdom in your words Christina. I am so thrilled to see you got Poem of the day. write on :-) hugs Jan xx
Chircop Avatar
April 3, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Thank you so much! I really appreciate. (My mum knows you, she is Charmaine :) )
Rodgers Avatar
April 1, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Hello Christina, congrats on POTD! such a real honesty in highlighting things like "chipped nails" and "bent knuckles shifting the body away from being a decorative object and back into being a tool that builds and holds. Seeing fatigue not just as tiredness, but as the physical evidence of "thinking too much" or "imagining," gives those marks a kind of functional dignity. Blessings, Daniel
Chircop Avatar
April 1, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Thank you so much, I really appreciate!!
Callus Avatar
March 31, 2026 at 7:54 AM
This is such a clever write, Christina. No wonder you received the p.o.t.d. award! Take care of your pen, and make good use of it :) Congratulations // paul
Chircop Avatar
March 31, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Thankyou so much, I really appreciate!
Agustin Avatar
March 31, 2026 at 7:41 AM
Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. Welcome to Poetry Soup. I welcome you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.
Chircop Avatar
March 31, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Thank you so much! I appreciate the blessing!
Buhagiar Avatar
March 30, 2026 at 2:06 AM
Congrats on your POTD, your first poem. Write more.
Chircop Avatar
March 30, 2026 at 4:46 AM
Thank you so much! My Nannu Armando Chircop knows you :) Unfortunately, now he is in an elderly's home.
Parker Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 8:37 PM
POTD, of course!!!! Congrats and many more opportunities heading your way. Fine piece.
Chircop Avatar
March 30, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Thank you so much for your support!
Nicole Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 7:22 PM
We're all different, but that is what makes us all unique. So many thoughts to ponder within. Congratulations Christina, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy
Chircop Avatar
March 30, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment!
Kendrick Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Congratulations on your poem being POTD. Way to go. Sara K
Chircop Avatar
March 30, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Thank you so much!
Bartley Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Congratulations on these fresh youthful insights that have awarded you POTD status. Standing out as one amongst 365 days of winners. Very deserving. Thanks for sharing!
Chircop Avatar
March 30, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Thank you so much!!
One Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 2:13 PM
A poem full of emotions...You write beyond your age and i can see how your mum has influenced you..welcome ro poetrt soup and congratulatiins on poetry of the day..
Chircop Avatar
March 30, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Thank you so much, I really appreciate!
Bayles Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 9:16 AM
Wonderful, Christina.
Chircop Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Thankyou so much!
Anaya Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 8:56 AM
I feel your vibrant energy, Christina, a whirl wind of thoughts marked by life. I really like the stanza on hair, in many cultures uncut hair is devotion to faith as well. A wonderful piece , congratulations on Poem of the day & new beginnings! A big welcome.
Chircop Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Thankyou so much for your comment, I really appreciate!
Cornish Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Ah, Christina, What a wonderful poetic journey that proves you have been composing even if you haven't written. Thank you so much for sharing! There are times we are so busy in life, especially when we're young, that we don't write but as poets, we're always composing until we have time to share. What you've done here, with this synopsis of life is magical and the way you tie it all together in your final lines is great form. Love this for many reasons - congrats!
Chircop Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. This is my first time sharing my thoughts through poetry online. Thanks for your support!!
Vesalius Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Congratulations!!! This is a beautiful poem.
Chircop Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Thankyou so much!
Goldsmith Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 7:36 AM
Congratulations on your POTD win. I loved reading your powerful "Marked by Life" write. Have a blessed day/week with your win...............
Chircop Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 7:46 AM
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Have a great afternoon :)
Lane Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Hello, Christina. Our hands may be rough but as long as we can hold a pen, they often write more truths than we speak from our lips. Congratulations on your first post having become POTD.
Chircop Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Thankyou so much for your comment! I agree, the pen often reveals what our voices cannot. Have a great afternoon :)
Delegans Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 7:08 AM
A tremendous write, Christina! Too many of us trying to be something we are not or imagine something unlike us when we are great the way we are. Such a positive message and very worthy of POTD!
Chircop Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Thank you so much, I'm glad the message came through! :)
Winter Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 6:58 AM
Dear Christina, congratulations on POTD! A wonderfully penned poem! Best, Anne
Chircop Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Thankyou so much for your comment!
La France Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 6:32 AM
Christina, beautifully penned poem and congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE DAY honor ~
Chircop Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 6:45 AM
Thankyou so much!!
Kitchin Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 4:49 AM
Christina, a great poem and message. Congratulations on POTD and welcome to PS.
Chircop Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 5:06 AM
Thankyou so much!
Lawless Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 4:37 AM
I gotta get a full length mirror and dance with my self...beautifully done and a new way to count my blessings
Chircop Avatar
March 29, 2026 at 4:44 AM
That’s a really thoughtful way to see it! Thankyou for reading!!
12
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