Deep into sleep
Running through REM
Melatonin muddled
You woke me up
You started quiet
Softly speaking of treason
In our bed
Lamenting my lack of compassion
My sleep induced haze
And I drifted in and out
Trying to stay awake
While you bitterly drained bile
On me.
In response, reaching
Out only to slake the surge
Of anger.
I struggled to stay awake.
Until I could no longer take it
And sat up,
Hoping to stay roused
By becoming defensive.
I looked at the clock again.
10:30 had changed to past midnight.
2 hours had passed.
I tried to speak through accusations
20 years throw in my face,
Though only ten of them are yours
But all betrayal
Must be accounted for.
Tried to speak, but shut out
For the phrase “let me finish”
And all to do is wait.
1:30 ticks by, but we didn't notice.
My responses must have seemed unreasonable
Because by two, you were hissing hate
Telling me that I’m worthless,
That I deserve the pain
Of a broken heart.
Overcome, I bolted to the bathroom,
And locked the door against the blast
Of bad behavior.
Barriers abate the hate
And you calmed, asking of safety
Knowing of the silent scars
That bear witness on my arms
Of past pain
You demanded to see wrist and thigh
When the door was opened.
My sister was right– I should have slept
Back pressed to door
Towels for pillows.
Instead, at three
I slinked back to bed.
Too exhausted to argue again.
