Photograph jumps unexpectedly
from the page
Bitter memory previously admired by
a younger version of
myself
Cried over in days
now regretted
Hidden needles act as daggers
Piercing what I thought was a healed abrasion
Drawing blood through bandages
Unwittingly applied
I flip the page
The image lingers for a moment
and eventually subsides
I continue on
relieved
But nonetheless on guard
Until, not surprisingly
You appear once more
This time not alone
Beside you sits a girl,
ignorant happiness
reflected in her eyes
How it was the day
before
my smiles turned to lies
I shudder
closing the book
Wincing at the pain
of my scars
Ripped open to create a new wound