Fragments

⤞linger

I linger in
past trauma,
and plentiful scars
adorn my heart,
and in the midst of healing,
I feel myself
slowly coming apart
until my flaws
are laid before you,
those smoking roses
that reside within me,
a simple plea to
take me as I am,
for this is all I shall ever be,
and I don't expect you
to accept me—
I am a disaster with no name—
and my mistakes
are sunken deeply
within this implausible
balm of shame.