The Raven on My Shoulder

The Raven on My Shoulder

The Raven loves to rest just out of sight under my red hair where only I can hear it.

The Raven on my Shoulder admires my appearance, even if I’m a slight bit too skinny, even if I’m not strong, even if my hands are slightly too rough from small burns and cuts, even if my nails never get the chance to grow enough for the blood to subside, even if the skin around my fingernail beds are peeled back to look like stalactites dripping from the ceiling of a bleeding cave, even if the skin on my arms and legs are covered top to bottom in hidden scars, even if my mouth always tastes of blood,

No matter how broken I get The Raven is always there to remind me of the hundreds of girls and boys who would rip their arms off to have the figure I have, to not have to be strong, to have their scars reduced to the ones I have, to not have to worry about scratching anyone, to have the guts to do something as “crazy” as peeling back your own skin even in the smallest amounts, to be able to fool people like I can, to be able to see blood and not faint.

All the Raven asks for in return is a small treat when no one is looking.

Once no one is looking the Raven simply claws its way out of my hair and starts to make my beautiful scars better.

It hurts but I'm okay,

It is worth the pain to feel better

Sometimes I ask the Raven to wait just a bit longer and sometimes it does

But it never truly leaves.

Before I know it the Raven is in my pocket tearing away at my hand

Its nail dug into the skin covering the bones in my fingers making it bleed till it stains the insides of my pockets.


I’ve had the Raven for as long as I can remember
It's been there always.

Some people have tried to get rid of the Raven

I know it hurts me but...

After a while, it stops hurting and now I only feel relief after the tears it leaves in my arms.

Knowing the Raven is still there, making sure my stress isn’t let out on anyone else, and making sure I love even the worst parts of myself, makes it all worth it.


However, the Raven is a growing creature that needs more food as it does.

I will be happy to provide for it has always been so kind.

So, when I am found torn limb from limb with Raven's claws sunk deep into my shoulder until my blood begins to pour,

chewing on the flesh peeling off my neck, tears in my eyes, and a smile on my face, don’t blame the Raven,

No matter what the Raven needs I will supply,

Even when it kills me