Some heal some stay
O! painful reminders
ruin our days
they are far from tender.

Some are invisible
etched on hearts
some are irreversible
scars are not sweethearts. 

They bog us down
shorten our lives
they add to frowns
cut like knives.

They build us up
some wear them as badges
they become reasons for a breakup
can bring us to an edge.

A burden for many
shameful and perennial
for few precious because they give company
as people live in a mode of denial.

They motivate
they comfort and transform
lots of them are kept private
they shape and give us form.