Battered Knees

Her knees exude the sticky crimson liquid, shaking, they drop again.

And again.

And again.

She pauses for a moment, and ties her sweaty hair back into a matted ponytail.

Gasping for air.

Her heart feels as though it is about to erupt.

But it’s still beating.

Beating to the rhythm of the footsteps she hears behind her.

Someone strong drags her to her aching feet.

She wipes the salty tears from her cheeks, just to have them be spit on.

She hears the yelling, but not the words that escape his alcohol stained breath.

Just Breath.

Just Breath.

Her stomach is twisting and tightening with every word he says.

She just nods.

Her hands cemented into her pockets.

His voice lowers to an intense shout.

“I’m doing this because I Love You, and you know that.”

She turns to face him, wipes her tears, and breaks her smile.

He looks at her with his dark eyes, walks towards her, and puts his warm hand on her tear stained cheek.

She looks at him, with longing eyes, and a demolished heart.

He walks away with the last word, “You’re pathetic.”

Again and

Again and

Again they drop, shaking, the liquid, crimson and sticky, exude from her knees.