Broken lips

I bite my lips a lot
Call it a nervous habit
Or a shameless display of self harm
My lip is always between my teeth
Flesh ripped off in strips
Keeping myself quiet
Forcing myself into silence
Punishment of sharp pain
Puffy from the abuse
Covered in lip balm and ointments
My teeth leave their marks
Mindlessly running my teeth over the pain
Over and over until finding the dents
The taste of blood a familiar thing
"You're bleeding" and finger pointed at my face
"Sorry, just a nervous habit" eyes looking away