And That's Love

“Ouch, the sound I make when your fist cuts my face like a whip bearing a thousand lashes to the slaves back. My lashes break bones, hearts, spirits, but most of all self-esteems. My skin is bruised, but my soul is broken. I wonder how long this happy home- that you refuse to let me escape- will last once my soul peaks, spirit leaps, and body reeks. When it gives up on this never ending war of...oh yeah, love.

That man over there says I love my wife but you know I have to put her in her place sometimes with a smile as wide as Texas. I love her with my fist, sooth her with my gun, caress her with my knife, and kiss her with death. And that’s love? Force yourself inside of me as I'm tortured by my own screams, haunted by horrors, and repulsed by my own appearance. And that’s love? Eyes creep from the corners, the voices whisper sweet yet bitter nothings, I wish they didn't have to see mommy like this. And that’s love?

The way momma took care of me when I was sick, the way daddy held me after my first heartbreak. That’s love! The way Ken talked me away from the balcony, the way the pastor prescribed Jesus for my depression. That’s love! The way he’s always there for me, the way he lets me be me. That’s love!

That man in the blue says man can beat his woman because men were created first. Hmmm, so why did God make Eve from Adam’s rib. He didn’t make her from the skull nor the foot, he made her from the rib because woman was never meant to be less than or greater than man. Woman was meant to be equal to man, which means you are not to beat her like she’s a child. If I can’t bust your head open with my fist, then you can’t do the same to me. I'm  not your child to [someone says chastise], that’s right baby, but I’m your spouse to honor and respect.

You have the right to put your hands on no woman. You seen what Eve did to the world, wait and see what happens to man when these women start fighting back. The men better stop while they're ahead.

Love me with your words, actions and warm embraces. That’s love! Don’t beat me until I'm bloody red, the color of a heart, and use love as your excuse. NO, THAT’S NOT LOVE!”