Do not judge me by the scars I bear
for they are not of my doing
nor should you dwell on these cuts and bruises
no matter how deep and bloodied
they too are not the real me
Rather
look into these eyes
filled with raging fire
take hold of these hands
and feel their power to crush
yet the willingness to heal
press an ear against my chest
to hear the sound of a heart that will not stop beating
For I am not these outward mutilations
that paint the skin and mask my inner being
I run so much deeper than flesh
