They used to hold me down
to clip my nails
because I was so afraid
that my skin would get cut
accidentally
in the process.

The terror was real
and beyond my control.
I would shiver
and strike out
against anyone around.
Eventually
I was strong enough
that it took both my parents
on top of me
to get the job done.
I couldn’t get the thought out of my head
that this metal
so near my body
would be so very dangerous.

When I tried to trim my nails myself
eventually
it seemed pretty easy
and natural
and all the anxiety dissipated.
The entire ordeal
lasting years
became next to nothing.

I would like to think
that same logic could work
for us, but
what are the odds?