Scars and Tattoos

 Instead of tattoos, I would rather have scars on my skin,

Scars are colorless and brutal, but they are symbols of my win.

The win over the wound, and the win over a world that rejects flaws,

The scar that I know is the beauty of my life’s experiences and applause.

At least scars would carry a story of my experiences from the past,

A tattoo would carry a memory too, but not a learning that would last.

A tattoo would be nothing more than a lie and an attempt at manifestation,

But a scar would always remind me of real pain and the journey of its transformation.

A tattoo would look more attractive than a scar, indeed,

But falling for beautiful things has mostly made me fall and bleed.

How, where, and when we want to get a tattoo done is our free will,

But no one would want to have stitches and scars for fun and chill.

A tattoo might bring some disappointments and regrets over time,

But a scar will always come with lessons, and acceptance will be prime.

                                                 ~Aastha’s poetic pen

The poem uses several poetic devices that add depth and resonance to its themes. Here’s a breakdown of some of them:

1. Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows a consistent AABB rhyme scheme, where every two lines rhyme with each other. This creates a sense of rhythm and unity throughout the poem.

2. Alliteration:

   - "Scars are **c**olorless and **b**rutal but they are **s**ymbols of my **w**in."

   - "The **w**in over the **w**ound, and the **w**in over a **w**orld that rejects flaws."

   The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words adds a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes key concepts.

3. Repetition: 

   - The word "win" is repeated in the third line, emphasizing the triumph associated with scars.

   - The word "scar" and "tattoo" are repeated throughout the poem, highlighting the contrast between the two.

4. Contrast: The entire poem is built on the contrast between scars and tattoos, using them as symbols for different life experiences. Scars represent authenticity, pain, and growth, while tattoos symbolize superficial beauty and transient memories.

5. Metaphor:

   - Scars are used metaphorically to represent life experiences, struggles, and victories.

   - Tattoos are metaphorically associated with memories that might not carry deep lessons or personal growth.

6. Personification:

   - "But falling for beautiful things has mostly made me fall and bleed." Here, "beautiful things" are personified as something that can cause harm.

7. Imagery:

   - The poem uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of scars and tattoos. Words like "colorless," "brutal," "real pain," and "fall and bleed" create strong visual and emotional images in the reader's mind.

8. Symbolism: 

   - Scars symbolize personal growth, resilience, and the lessons learned through hardship.

   - Tattoos symbolize external appearances, memories, and the choices we make.

9. Anaphora:

   - The repeated use of "A tattoo would..." and "But a scar..." at the beginning of several lines creates a rhythmic pattern and emphasizes the poem's message.

10. Parallelism:

    - "The win over the wound, and the win over a world that rejects flaws." This line uses parallel structure to draw a comparison between overcoming personal pain and societal rejection.

These poetic devices work together to create a compelling exploration of the value of scars over tattoos, both literally and metaphorically.