What He Does

I lie awake, alone in the dark

Fingers lightly tracing a black and blue mark

"How will I hide this?" I think with distaste

Wincing from the bruise on the side of my face

Recalling the anger he demonstrated tonight

The rage is the worst when his life isn't right

Blaming someone else is always convenient

I had a misguided thought that he would be lenient

Since we were planning a time to marry

But he feels that his troubles are mine to carry

I glance wistfully at the ring on my finger

But I know that it isn't safe to linger

Tomorrow I know I will have to leave

Right now though I'm taking time to grieve

For the beautiful love that we once had

Before all of it became embittered and bad