Even after throwing
clothes and boxes
from third floor balconies,
after fists through drywall,
broken bottles and windows,
and neighbors calling
the cops at 3 a.m.

After she slashes
his leather couch
with a knife and leaves
a note threatening suicide
signed in her own blood,
to get his attention.

After he gets drunk
and crashes his car,
nearly paralyzing himself,
because he thinks she’s out
******* another guy.

After public declarations,
internet squabbles,
restraining orders,
and wedding rings
thrown from bridges
into muddy rivers.

And sometimes even
after slaps, punches,
or kitchen knives,
nights in jail
or years in prison.

After all this,
they sleep
in beds together
legs touching,
his hand on her belly.

They sleep
wrapped in blankets
breathing softly
as though
nothing had happened.