Invisible Fire

Some days, I wear my skin like armor,
Other days, it feels like a battlefield,
Where every step is a negotiation
Between pain and pretending.

The mirror shows no scars they can see,
But beneath, there’s a war waged daily,
Flare-ups like fire,
Burning quietly in the shadows.

I smile through it,
Because how do you explain
A body that betrays itself?
A pain that hides behind the skin,
A hurt that no one wants to hear?

Every moment is measured
By the swell of discomfort,
And the weight of knowing
It’s not something that just goes away.

Still, I carry it,
This quiet burden,
Because I am more than the hurt,
More than the skin that fights me back.

Harper Wilde 🌿

Explanation:

This poem gives voice to the hidden battle faced by those living with Hidradenitis suppurativa. HS is often an invisible illness—while the pain and discomfort are real, much of it happens beneath the surface, unseen by others. For many, this leads to feelings of isolation, frustration, and emotional exhaustion, as the condition is misunderstood or dismissed by those who can’t see the severity of it.

This poem captures the internal struggle of dealing with a body that feels like it’s betraying itself, the tension between wanting to appear strong and the overwhelming fatigue caused by chronic pain. It’s a reminder that autoimmune conditions like HS don’t just affect the skin, but the person’s overall well-being—mentally, emotionally, and physically.

It’s important because it speaks to the shared experience of those suffering from HS, reminding them they’re not alone. It validates the invisible pain, acknowledging that even when the world can’t see it, the struggle is real and deserving of empathy.

The poem serves as a space to express what often goes unspoken, offering a form of healing for both the writer and the reader by shedding light on a condition that is so often hidden in the shadows.