Clean, white lines
Dirty, mottled, brown and broken
Deep, stark color against skin
All have a meaning
All have a story, a reason

But that doesn't mean
They don't make you Beautiful
They don't make you Gorgeous
They don't make you Handsome

Because they do

Scars are battle wounds
They're proof you've survived
Whatever has come your way
They're proof of how 
Brave and strong, 
Persistent, and powerful
You are

They're proof of how 
Your body loves you
No matter what
Forgiving each and every time
And healing you
Healing all the wounds
And making a mark to show you forever
How proud it is to have helped you

They're all stripes
A tiger's stripes 
With all the strength and 
Terrifying beauty 
Already in them
They're awe-inspiring

And some people just can't see that

But don't let others take away
The strength they all give you
The beauty they radiate
And the confidence you can gain 
From knowing that you've survived
And can still survive no matter what.
Because anyone who can't see that,
Isn't worth your time

You're a beauty, a tiger
Independent and strong
Graceful and sleek
With Power 
Hidden behind your stripes
But it's time you come out
It's time you embrace them
And let them show you
And everyone else
Exactly that 

That you've earned

Your Stripes