Whatever it is
that closed your eyes
in a moment of confusion

taught you how to see
in darkness

who else would find crying weakness
other than a bully

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The challenge I created. Check it out #bookpoemchallenge

Your home has red tiles and broken windows
Your home has scratched sheets and soaked
pillows


Your home has green curtains and wide spaces
Your home has hard grounds with shoe traces


Your home has a star-view, late at night
Your home has a helpful crew, working right


Your home has a loud thumping rythym,
I guess your neighbor Arthery is a musician


Your home?

Your home is my heart.
Your presence is its state of art.

© Ellie Hughes 2014

They say "be careful who you make memories with"
I think I was, with you at least.

I don't think I regret any of it,
not you,
not the memories with you,
not any of it.

I was careful.
Now, I'm grateful.

You didn't teach me much,
but you helped me teach myself.

I never said thank you for that.

Owen:* Hey. You're awake.
Cristina: You didn't come home.
Owen: Yeah, there was a--
Cristina: A bus crash or a train crash or a patient crashed? Yeah. Right. Why are you staring at me?
Owen: Well, I'm weighing how upset you are and if I want to get into this.
Cristina: You do. You want to get into this...
Owen: I'm tired and it's late.
Cristina: ... with me. You know what? That's the point. It's always late, and it shouldn't be. And you should want to get into it with me but you don't. I mean, where are you?
Owen: I am-- I am here. For God sake. I'm right freakin' here. I'm home.
Cristina: No, you're not. ... You have to be honest with me because I am going crazy here. Do you, um, do you love me anymore?
Owen: It's not about if I--
Cristina: Owen, please answer the question.
Owen: I love you so much that it hurts.
Cristina: Okay. Well, okay, then. Then we can-- We can work on this. We can talk. You know, we-- We have to talk, because I cannot be like this anymore. (voice breaking) And I Mean it when I say that I'm going crazy, 'cause... (sighs) 'Cause that nurse Emily-- I mean, I-I accused her of sleeping with you.
Owen: You what?
Cristina: I'm-- I'm sorry. I just-- I mean, I feel like... My whole body feels like... Like you were cheating on me. And then you come home and you tell me that you love me, and I'm... I'm-- I'm relieved. I mean, I'm so relieved because--
Owen: Stop. Stop. I said I love you so much that it hurts.
Cristina: Okay.
Owen: I said... it hurts... to love you.
Cristina: Just say it.
Owen: I'm not cheating on you with Emily.
Cristina: Okay.
Owen: But I did cheat on you.


____________________________________________________
­He said he loved her so much it hurts.
He said it hurts to love her.