Mama moaned in pain
While papa’s fists pounded into her skin
Every tear that dropped
From her eyes slid into the pores of my heart
Where they froze into ice spikes of anger

That day I learnt that love would hurt

I moaned
But didn’t understand why
Maybe because of her caress
But for a five year old bundle of innocence
The feelings that coursed through my veins
Were as alien as flowers from Mars
I still don’t know what emotions
They awakened in my heart
Till this day

But that day I learnt that love would betray

He moaned in pleasure
While I lay beneath his weight
Hands clasped forcefully together by his fist of iron
My warm tears flowed in reverse
Into the holes in my heart
Where they formed a pool that burned hot with hatred

That day I learnt that love would be selfish