my arms

Hello there, Collin! This is Alex, here with a review. Let's dive right in.

The title feels really fitting for what appears like a short and simple poem such as this one. I love how it doesn't give away much either. The veil only raises the reader's interest. Could it be written from a romantic angle? Or is the poet insecure about that particular body part of theirs? Is it a metaphor for all the labor the poet does? These were all the speculations I made at the first glance. Great job keeping the reader guessing!

Hmm.. So it's about self harm. It relates, no doubt. But I can't help but wonder if something more suggestive would've been better. It's just my own unprofessional opinion though. This case is particularly difficult as you don't directly mention anything symbolic of pain such as cuts and blades- eliminating them from potential alternatives. Maybe 'ugly arms' to contradict the final line of the poem? I'm not much confident of that suggestion though, as it may also point to body insecurity due to one's innate figure. 'Covering cuts' does bag alliteration and could go along if you used @lovelydove 's brilliant suggestion. But we'd still have cuts to connect so I don't think it's a match anyways. Right now, 'cut/lacerated/slashed arms' is the best I can come up with. If you are open to a contradictory title, 'smooth/ pretty arms' is an option, considering it doesn't mess up with the overall meaning. I may have just over analysed matters here, so feel free to hold on to your own version of the title if you prefer it this way. Moving on to the actual material of the poetry.

Edit: okay so one of @quinnisafrog 's poetries gave me this amazing idea for your perfect title- Scarred arms! You do use the word scars in the poem so I believe it shall go along beautifully.

wish i could run my hands over them and feel nothing

Loving the indirect tone! What the poet feels could be acne or external attachments as well, but the reader's mind goes to nothing other than cuts due to the nature of the poem. It's impressive how you can direct our mind without a definite hook, like disguised manipulation.

One thing I noticed was the changing aspects of the poetry. It's so effortlessly put together, I can't quite tell if it's intentional ~

1. wish that they were smooth // wish i could run my hands over them and feel nothing- the superficial physical consequences of his actions.
2. wish i could show them without getting stared at- the social ridicule and taunts he faces.
3. wish i didn't have to feel nauseated because of them- the mental repercussions of self harm on himself.
4. wish i had never done what i did to them // wish my arms were pretty- regret and desiring an alternate reality.

I'm impressed of the wide range of aspects these very lines manage to cover so smoothly. You've clearly thought out the content well- it shows.

Here are a few minor suggestions I found-

because of them

How about replacing this with 'at the sight of them' for enhanced impact? Your call!

Another line you could've added-
'Wish my long sleeves had nothing to hide underneath'
I admit this is a lot similiar to the suggestion @lovelydove made so it's upto you which/if you want to implement.

Last thing- the structure
The line // pauses are certainly unique and I believe, your own way into this. It made things quite interesting and refreshing to read, I'll give you that. I do believe, however, that with such a short poem, you could've experimented a lot more with the formatting instead of a organising it like a long continuous prose. But there isn't anything objectively wrong with the current form.

A short personal note- if this poem was in any way, based on your own personal life events and feelings, I'm extremely sorry you had to go through that. I hope you're in a better place now. You deserve better than this and there are several professional help resources available online at no cost. If you just need someone to vent to though, consider my PMs open <3

Summarisingly, this poem lands sharp as the dagger whose affects are being portrayed here. It's short, doesn't stray from the theme and delivers a simple narrative. Bravo, you deserve it!