Unattainable perfection br Highlighted flaws projected through a reflection br Glanced at through lowered eyes made heavy br With unanswered cries br Pleading for attention br Seeking redemption br Emotions seep through thin skin br Tightening the jaw making visible the tension br Which has taken residence within her br A body that betrayed her br Attention sought br Found in him br With their greeting br She loss the labels pure and innocent br Bestowing on him a gift she had yet to understand br In his wake she felt tainted used and self-hatred br Painfully aware of the absence of something that could never return br Failed attempts at ignoring the hurt br Carrying the mistakes of the past over every ledge br Onto every doorstep they crept br Regretting the moment allowing him to own it br Hating what can never be undone br A memory only and always br Provoking fantasies of different outcomes br But As the days go by fresh wounds fade to scarred flesh br Leaving only remnants of what occurred br Etched forever in the skin br A subtle mark the final reminder of her sinbr br Amanda Grimesbr br