Caroline's poem describes a private cycle of self-harm and self-punishment, and it does so in a plain, matter-of-fact voice. The speaker retreats to the bathroom, which she calls her "dark room," and cuts herself while telling herself she is a horrible daughter, lover, friend and person. She hopes the pain will teach her to be better, but admits "that never helps." Hunger and thoughts about weight are mixed in, suggesting she is also struggling with how she sees her body.
The mood is heavy, secretive and exhausted. The repeated "Bleed" and "Horrible" feel like a loop she can't escape. The ending is the saddest part: she puts the blade away, wipes her tears and walks back into the world, swallowing her problems and saying "farewell for now." That last phrase hints that she expects to return. The poem leaves us with how well she hides her pain, and how alone she seems.
If this poem reflects something you or someone you know is going through, talking to a trusted adult or a counselor can help.