An Old Friend
Written by Kelly Ann Wilson

I walked through those hospital doors
They put all of the lines in my arms
And cut first into my chest
And then my heart
And the surgeon said
You’re a tough kid

I got my first tattoo
The day I turned old enough too
And then, I got another
The truth is that by the last one
I didn’t even feel it
Sink into my skin

He said to me, you’re used to this
You can take more than I can
I just don’t have it in me
I can’t hold on like you have
And even though you never would
I’m giving up on us
All to not do what it would take
To become a better man

And I wonder
How can they even be surprised
When they find out
What I survived
Like they haven’t watched me suffer
Right infront of their eyes
So, what’s a little violence
Once you’ve fought for your life
Shouldn’t it make sense to them?

The day that I am no longer called resilient
Will mean I am finally safe
Like I deserved to be all along
Didn’t I?
But maybe I’m not someone
Who’s meant for peace
I have to fight and revolt and bleed
For what I believe in
Because I’m the one who can

Pain is an old friend

Written December 2, 2023
© 2023 Kelly Ann Wilson