Battle Scars

I'm not ashamed
Of the lines on my skin
Left there long ago
By the demons within

I'm not ashamed
To stand tall and true
Refusing to bend and cower
Under the gaze of someone like you

I'm not ashamed of my scars
Of self inflicted wounds
Remnants of a war
That raged on so many moons

I'm not ashamed of these badges of war
A sign that I am strong
Stripes of a tiger
That fought back for so long

I'm not ashamed
Of these lines so red
The only outward sign
That there was once demons in my head

I'm not ashamed
Of this skin so scarred
Not ashamed of a body
That's broken and marred

Because these are my battle scars