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Politics and Activism

Trail of Scars: A Poem

Tattoos reveal what you want the world to see, but your scars illustrate your true identity.

Joshua Doyle

Jul 10, 2017

Joshua Doyle

Tattoos are one-sided

skin-sketched ink

revealing

what you want the world to see

but your Scars illustrate your true identity

life’s narrative engraved in blood

revealing our stories

secrets

exposed memories

insecurities

our previous vulnerabilities

hardening

turned rugged and fierce

Evoking fear, in sworn enemies

fantasizing our friends

worrying our families

seducing our lovers

compelling them

like a radiant summer

on Eden’s tide

I still struggle

to reveal mine

etched on my body

a grunge canvas

pinpointing mistakes

and failures

My Right Leg-

Permanently scraped

after a shattered femur

Left Elbow-

Singed with road rash

Left Arm-

A blotch of cancer

cut out of me

But that’s only the surface

beneath it

in the depths

is what haunts me the most

my deepest secret

ingrained in the amygdala

carved into my back

by a blade

signed and sealed

an eternal reminder:

Never turn to the streets

in a time of need

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Trail of Scars: A Poem

Tattoos reveal what you want the world to see, but your scars illustrate your true identity.

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This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

Time to be merry and bright.

"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble

"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift

"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban

"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel

"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta

"Believe" by Josh Groban

"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

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