Tidal Wave

I look at my forearm and can see the temporary tattoo you gave me

Four red lines, matching the width of your fingers, form parallel bands

I used to love the fact my hand looked so tiny compared to yours, my wrist so delicate against yours

Now, it's not cute, it's a sign a of weakness and a reminder of how breakable I am

Red is commonly held as the color of passion, yet when I see it on my skin it means anything but

I prefer cards as to bruises as reminders that you think about me

You tell me you treat me like this because you care

The cycle will restart as soon as you cool down and register aftermath, cleanup and damage control will come swooping in

Yet, the cycle seems to be moving faster; the ratio of serenity to violence is almost tipping the scale

You get annoyed, upset, angry, and confrontational in no time

I remember when I was a child and was told not to go deeper in the water than my waist

When I ventured anyway to feel water tickle my nostrils, the current took me

I was spinning, my body accumulated various scratches from the debris, eventually I so feared for my life that a gash felt like nothing

You were that wave, suspending me in water and nulling my senses

You were my curiosity, making me do the wrong things by your hypnotic appeal

I loved you and you hurt me in return

It's not an accident and it's not love.