Pinned against a garden fence
by the anger in your fists,
I had forgotten how quickly
my trembling body falls limp.
Caught off guard one stormy night,
unable to remember a response that you like.
Your raging eyes roaring into mine -
I already know I will not win.
A blow to my face strikes me like a brick,
and another to my stomach takes my breath away.
Why oh why, did I have to walk home this way?
Ten minutes later, cowering on the ground,
you give me permission to take my bruises home.
Aching all over, I begin to turn away,
praying that this time will finally be the last.
Your fingers grasp my arms once more,
squeezing them to turn them blue -
a gentle reminder of what lies in store
should I forget who I belong to.
A kiss to my cheek stabs me like a knife,
a stamp of ownership that I can never wash off.
