amphibi.us

scratches on the skin rub raw against normally soft t-shirts

pressed between a layer of clothing and an office chair

reminding me of the night before, or perhaps that morning

with fingernails etching intricate designs upon my back

and welling blood to the surface to mark a territory you did not even want.

and then

scars form after the itchy scratches have finished healing

leaving permanent marks that now inform me I will be remembering those nights

for much longer than either of us had intended

white hairline scars traced up a back for someone else to find.