you were ugly, hideous, undesirable
unworthy of love, equity, belonging
unwilling to endure more yet relentless
you itch at the wounds you bear
from the hurt endured from the past
but the scratches can never hide the pain you never wanted

bright ribbons wildly blow against your march
entangled by their overwhelming cruelty
they fly at you with the sting of ten thousand paper cuts
whispering a promise that things will be okay
you defy against their turbulent, binding wrapping
rejecting the suffering they propose

you held your breath and quietly persisted
beaten, bruised, humiliated
constantly tormented by your past
you still stand against your unfair present
the scars and shame transform into acceptance
and your wounds begin to carry strength

it still hurts to march forward
the scars never disappeared, but they torment you less
the onslaught of pain remains, and yet
you continue to embrace suffering
with grace and resilience
relentlessly pursuing your fragile, foolish idea of happiness.