I actually cut my nails today. They'd gotten so long, I'd ended up with a number of scratches across my chest and face. For a while now, I've been depressed, and I've neglected simple things like my personal hygiene - almost four months into the year, and I've only showered a handful of occasions. The same with shaving - I'll let my beard grow until it's enormously thick and bushy, uncomfortably so, so I end up scratching it with my also neglected fingernails.

Often mentioned in the company of teeth. In the thick of battle. Paired with a equally battle ready tooth. Literarily and often when engaged in small talk or more meaningful conversations.

NAILS originating from finger or toe. Are generally found looking quiet similar in the wild. But taken out of the jungle. And placed in more urban settings. They can take on any number of different looks. There being no rules really or fashion faux pas associated with them.

Every nail finds a looking fitting the fingers they’re meant to finish. Found at our limbs extremities. Traditionally in four groups each numbering five. most communally described as….

dirty, bitten, painted, fake, acrylic, French manicured, pedicured, broken, or a bad hang. And a number of other names I’ve failed to mention. I. e. watch out for the ones who's claws have yet to come out.

Looking over my own. Before attempting to describe what mine have shown. I’ve found at times they differ in resemblence from day to day. And at others remain then spitting image of one another. But the term i’ve used to describe them most often is WORKING MANS hands with dirty fingernails combined with toenails found with fungus growing under them.

They're yellow this month,

Not too bright, something easier

Like the daffodils blooming early, like ripe bananas.

It's my favorite kind of yellow,

Seeming like it would be soft to the touch,

Like the satin of flower petals a little warm from the sun.

My nails are silver and they hold my bookshelf together...Wait, not that kind of nails? Oh, okay.

So, my nails are pretty dull. My sister's are....well, hardly DULL. Today they are blue with white polka dots. Yesterday they were yellow. A few days before that, they were a shimmery pink. Before that, blue with orange foxes. Last week sometimes, pink and blue hearts. Before that...I have no idea. She absolutely LOVES painting her nails and does it nearly every day. Me, on the other hand, I don't, can't and won't. How in the world do you have the patience to let them dry?!? I paint my nails with gorgeous designs, and take it right off. I want to get out and DO THINGS. Not wait for my nails to dry. Sure, I'll do them for my brother's wedding because I'm a bridesmaid, but that's about it. I'll leave my nails natural and plain. We need all types, you know! Plain, boring nails and fancy, painted nails!!!

Nails remain unpainted and abandoned to the elements.

No neat manicure for these hands.

I grind down the nails one at a time,

taking my time to trim each one with my teeth.

Disregarding each nail clip with a flick of a finger.

Riddled with bite marks as

each nail tells a story and

each rip and tear becomes a reminder.

Worry and anxiety have their grasp on each finger.

Holding each nail hostage.