This is my body and like bread you broke it I crumbled and fell through your fingers You left me in pieces, too many and too overwhelming to pull back together I laid still You took my smooth dark vessel and scraped your own self hatred into my skin Your wounding words embedded in me It is all I saw when I looked at myself My shell, my not so protective covering, branded and forced into by those who confuse power with love Those who think all you need is a little duct tape to fix it To fix the shattered bone in their hand and the hole in the wall This is my body and with time I have found the strength to string myself back together I have grown a thicker skin my soul case is now impenetrable only to be opened by those I grant permission No markings, no lashes, no bruises shall form on my outer layer I am not that girl shattered beneath your fist She is gone and I am whole