Chapped Lips

my lips used to be chapped
the dead skin peeling away
and I had a habit of tearing it with my teeth
until my lips bled
the tender, raw skin underneath showing
hurting

but finally
they healed
and I managed to stop
let them stay that way
let them be happy
whole

but as the cold rolled in
they began to crack
and tear once more
and they more I covered them with gloss and shine
the more they became
broken

hurting

me