I’m putting on my perfume as you enter the bathroom “Smells like cancer,” was your answer
Wish I’d been fearless against your meanness instead of hurt and speechless
“I never hit you” That’s true That’s not what you do
Words, not fists, you use to lie, to confuse to strike and abuse Words don’t leave a bruise
“*****” is not my name “****,” more of the same But you have no shame “Just a fight,” you claim
“You’re just sensitive” You told me And I accept that excuse for years of emotional abuse
I stay until one day I’m brushing my teeth as our son enters the bathroom, “Why is dad always mean to you?” Those words became the straw that broke the camel’s back