scabbed lips

my lips burn as i drink a sip of juice the sting wakes me up the tears swelling up in the corner of my eyes i know i do this to myself

my mother complains of it how unattractive it looks how painful and gross the skin exposed and red

barren and sore a tear falls softly gathering at the edge of my mouth i smile

in class i sit biting on the edge a flake of skin begins to rip i stay quiet once called on

my grades drop my teachers tell me to participate more i fully rip the skin off at least i do the work

my mother still tells me to stop the way my lip bleeds what boy wants to kiss that rough and bloody instead of soft and smooth

i believe to think i wouldn't want that either a boy with a scabby mouth his mouth bleeding because of a hard bite at least i'd know he has an excuse

i lick my lips constantly covering the dry, peeling skin no one notices they can't notice what i do

my mouth hurts most days it's fine but there are days were my tears collect the saltiness burning the bloody tears

my skin heels half still affected by the gnawing numb and swollen

i try to only bite a small piece now no boys i have to impress makeup bold to distract them so i can continue to bleed in anxiety like piece