Dear sorrow-pain-regret-fear…scars,

Come closer… so that I may embrace you,

Some days you were all I knew.

I would slip into you-caged and frightened,

It seemed my air would be cut off-your grip tightened.

I could only see inches in front of my face,

As I ran you would only give chase.

But now I hold my arms out to you,

For it is you that I grew.

The reason today I am myself.

Always holding you on that shelf.

Hiding you from the world and mostly from me.

Except without you who would I be?

Today I accept you as you are,

I accept what happened to me.

You shall forever be my scar,

Now I am free.