He loved her fierce.
Like the breath would be stolen from his body
If he left her side for a moment of peace,
Or a cup of tea with a friend.

And when she broke his heart the first time
I watched him gasp for air.
He acted as though his sun was gone
And he grew cold.

The second time, he loved her fierce,
But careful.
And she loved him transparently.
The day she found her tongue dancing with another she blamed him.

The second time she broke his heart,
I watched the scrapes and scabs on his knuckles tell his story.
The anger, hurt, the tears that he wouldn’t let anyone see.
He swore never again.

And the third time he loved her,
It was only fierce.
His endless “I love you,” drowning in her
Finger-crossed promises that he holds high above his head.

And I watch him pull away
And I watch him gasp for air
And I watch him chain himself to her
And I wish she loved him fierce.