I am too rough
and blood rushes
from my cuticles,
drips over my jagged
fingernails.

I gnaw on them,
biting down hard
uneven edges.
I stretch skin,
pulling ferociously
and tear it away,
severing the tips
of my fingers.

I try harder to even out
nail tips, trim down cuticles,
my manicure,
the turquoise polish,
spotted with dried blood.