There'll always be bruises
nestling in soft hollows of skin
spreading out across milky whiteness
in rainbow colours of pain.

There'll always be razor-lines
red, and black with blood
solidifying to red and white markings
warpaint on a broken shell.

There'll always be burns
shiny and brightened hard
stretching over tender flesh
denuded of humanity.

There'll always be pain
and methods of coping with it
melting the will
playing fairy-like across the skin.