paper cuts | Teen Ink
  1. Home
  2. Poetry
  3. Free Verse
  4. paper cuts

paper cuts

March 3, 2023
By annalise_m GOLD, Hong Kong, Other
More by this author
annalise_m GOLD, Hong Kong, Other
10 articles 0 photos 0 comments
View profile

While I bend and burn and break

fire reigns

A million shattered pieces punctuate

the fragments of dreams I once dared to whisper


I don’t want to be here anymore.

I don’t want to be here.

I don’t want to be.

I don’t want to.

I don’t want.

I don’t.

I-


close my eyes

count to five


one- i breath

two- i whisper

three- i choke

four- i cry

five- i scream


so loud the windows shatter

as glass falls in, i reach out my arms

for only a piercing embrace

can muffle my pain


let my pain be exemplified

you will think that you see me

congratulations.

you’ve solved my case


you’ll write narratives of a tragic hero 

returning home 

broken from war


please...

save your red poppies for the dead

i deserve no medals for papercuts

Photo by Vera De on Unsplash

Post a comment
Submit your own

Similar Articles

Previous Next
Poetry
My New Beginning
By delaney95 GOLD
St. Charles, Missouri
delaney95 GOLD, St. Charles, Missouri
11 articles 5 photos 5 comments
View profile
Poetry
When this poem felt eternal...
By KICK3593 PLATINUM
Roslyn Heights, New York
KICK3593 PLATINUM, Roslyn Heights, New York
49 articles 0 photos 74 comments
View profile
Poetry
The Unraveling Scarf
By kiwi12 PLATINUM
Austin, Texas
kiwi12 PLATINUM, Austin, Texas
28 articles 10 photos 365 comments
View profile
Poetry
Breathing
By costarican93 GOLD
Washington, Louisiana
costarican93 GOLD, Washington, Louisiana
14 articles 0 photos 33 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The city looks so pretty do you want to burn it with me?"- Hollywood Undead

View profile
Poetry
July Twentieth Two Thousand and Eight
By Poe_poe SILVER
DeMotte, Indiana
Poe_poe SILVER, DeMotte, Indiana
7 articles 0 photos 0 comments
View profile
Poetry
you see me
By XxUnforgivenLovexX SILVER
Des Moines, Iowa
XxUnforgivenLovexX SILVER, Des Moines, Iowa
6 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
to be or not to be that is the question

View profile

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 4 comments.

Kris-Is-Here BRONZE said...
on Mar. 27 2023 at 2:47 pm
Kris-Is-Here BRONZE, Pottsboro, Texas
4 articles 0 photos 4 comments

Favorite Quote:
If you don't get it right the first time just try try try again

View profile
this is so wonderful <3!!
PoisonIvy22 SILVER said...
on Mar. 9 2023 at 2:13 pm
PoisonIvy22 SILVER, Windom, Texas
5 articles 1 photo 26 comments

Favorite Quote:
"In the public eye, girls and women with strong perspectives are hated. If you're a girl with an opinion, people just hate you. There are still people who are afraid of successful women, and that's so lame." -Billie Eilish<br /> "My imagination is a twisted place." -Taylor Swift<br /> “ When people see good they expect good and I don't want to live up to some one's expectations." - Damon Salvatore, 'The Vampire Diaries'.

View profile
This is so beautiful!
DrunkVanilla PLATINUM said...
on Mar. 8 2023 at 1:41 pm
DrunkVanilla PLATINUM, Çatalköy, Other
24 articles 3 photos 7 comments
View profile
this is so good! i wish you didn't make it anonymous so i could check out your other work, too :')
ThePoetUnlynched SILVER said...
on Mar. 8 2023 at 10:05 am
ThePoetUnlynched SILVER, Collingswood, New Jersey
8 articles 3 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
"It's true, Batsy! I know everything. And kinda like the kid who peeks at his Christmas presents, I must admit, it’s sadly anti-climactic. Behind all the sturm and batarangs, you’re just a little boy in a playsuit, crying for mommy and daddy!" — Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker<br /> <br /> “Smile, because it confuses people. Smile, because it’s easier than explaining what is killing you inside.” ― The Joker<br /> <br /> “Let’s put a smile on that face!” – The Joker

View profile
may I just say, WOW. this was absolutely earth-shattering, I love it.