Black & Blue

Sneer.
(On your face.)
Fear.
(In this place.)
I've noticed
your monster's rage,
And rattle bars
on thier cage
more and more
with each swallow.
(Wonder what
will soon follow.)

Bruises yellow
by mid-week.
Your words mellow,
you turn meek.
Roses gather dust
in a vase of glass.
You swear this time
was your last.

I've always had
a weakness in me
For your baby blues
and how you see
the deeper side of me
in you.

BUt I hate
how irrate
you are
from the bar;
when your brain
is insane
and drowning in whiskey.
Though you say you missed me...
You batter and beat,
You push and pummel,
Making me small
silent and humble.
And I cry...
"Why???"

But you vow change
and I believe.
You kiss these scars
And I can't leave.
Just for today
I'm okay.
At least for today,
I'm safe.

I long to cure
the illness in you,
The demons from
the younger you.
But I turn to find
the true marks are on me,
I wake to see
the hurting is all me.

Love is blind,
Love can bind,
Hold me here
within my fear.
And my ghost is lost,
long ago forgotten,
My spirit weary,
and these sheets of cotton
feel like sandpaper
on these wounds.
I cannot sleep.
(You'll be home soon....)

I wonder
will you lay beside,
Hold me sweet
and be gentle tonight?
Or will your hands
hold anger in thier grasp?
Was last time
truly the last?

I live
in a home
of never-knowing.
Side-by-side
love and hate
are growing.
Both a dual-shaded hue,
Both a form of
black and blue.