Scorch my skin and slice my flesh,
and no,
before you ask,
I'm not depressed,
I'm just... going through a rough patch,
Bleeding let's out so much more than tears,
I'm just going through a rough patch,
...been going through it for years.

"It's just a little cut", He said,
"it's not as if I have a problem".
"There's no harm in it at all", He said,
"when I have issues, this resolves them".

"At least I'm not on drugs", He said,
"or other such unhealthy vices".
"I'm not hurting anyone", He said,
"so leave me to my own devices".

"It's awful nice, you know", He said,
"a spiritual kind of thing".
"A little cut, that's all", He said,
"then relish in that searing sting"

"I need that sweet release", He said,
"but it's not like I'm addicted".
"I could choose to stop", He said,
"but then I'd feel restricted".

"I'm trapped inside this skin", He said,
"it's itchy and too tight for me".
"I need to bleed again", He said,
"it's just a little cut, you see".

"I think I cut too deep", He said,
as his blood gushed to the floor.
"It was just a little cut", He said,
and then he said no more.