Bloody Leaves

Leaves used to stand for growth
For battles fought and victories won
But like so many other things
Are corrupted, changed, perverted now

Carved into skin instead of drawn
Outlined in blood instead of ink
They call for growth, a different kind
Of more leaves carved and blood outlined

A part of me shows beauty now
A part of which I'm proud
The rest of me I still despise
I harm and injure what I hate

It is not wrong to cut my flesh
To alter what disgusts me
It is not wrong to find release
To relieve the chains I'm bound in

So let "growth" come to me
Let bloody leaves now spread
And then perhaps one day I
Can see myself as beautiful