Untitled by Rebecca Scroggins

​the key turns in the lock--
my heart: pounds:
is dinner hot, the laundry done,
the house clean enough?
i smile as he comes through the door,
searching for signs of the best.
Red, angry eyes, that ugly sneer;
clenched fists--
don’t go near.
i don’t need to know
it’s time to prepare for a fight;
but even so, he lets those poisoned darts fly:
<<bitch, whore, trash.>>
their venom burns through my veins,
i only pray it kills me/swift/
for once upon a time, his arms held me with love--
now they only slap, punch, shore.
tonight, his body language gives him away…
i know it’s time to run--
i’ll die if i stay.