Because I Love You

Because I Loved You,

I allowed myself to wither,

I found false solace in the warmth of your alcohol stained tongue,

I stayed longer than I should have.

Because I Loved You,

I cried every night,

Praying that you would change,

and that you'd see that you were hurting me.

Becuase I Loved You,

My daughter still has nightmares,

And vividly remembered the night you dragged me across the floor,

And spit in my face,

And in the morning covered me with her Sesame Street Band-Aides

And kissed my bruised cheek repeating that you were sorry....

Becuase I Loved You,

I Left,

For the sake of myself and of my children's..

Because I Loved You,

I hated me.