in the movies
love seemed so great
kisses in the rain
with a picnic dateand whenever you came home
and laid your hands on me
because i acted out
and you didn't want me to seeand when you saw me next
you'd always say
"i do this because i love you,
there's no other way"every long night
and tear i cried
you had a new defense
your action justifiedi'd believe you
and i'd say
"forgive him,
this won't happen everyday."but for you it seems
you were never redeemedthe bruises would fade
after we fought
and they'd be gone forever
or so i thoughtand it wasn't until years later
when we sat in the rain,
that the scars surfaced—
for when you asked me what love was,
i replied with pain.
YOU ARE READING
between the lines
Poetryfalling asleep to the sound of broken promises and to the smell of toxicity