Scars and Calluses

To my former self I say,

The struggles will never cease.

The heartbreaks will never go away.

Hardships only to increase.

The pain is here to stay.

You want to hear that things get better,

But to tell you so would be a lie.

Don’t let your pain become your fetters,

But let it be your guide.

Or you may as well have never met her.

Time will leave you callused and scarred.

Leave signs of struggle without and within.

Your features will be scourged and marred.

And you’ll be left with thicker skin.

Your damages will be your guard.