I got Roses Today.

From him

and they smelled of honey and silk.

From him

the bouquet was lovely

but those thorns....
they always draw blood.

From him I received darkened eyes
blackened mouth
swelling
taped shut
from his fist
from his lies

but it's ok
really it will all be ok
you know why?



because today,
Today I got Roses.

I got Roses Today
and can you guess why?

it was because I earned it.

after I got shoved into the stove
it was just as he said.
And yes,
yes I learned.
I learned to cross him

is to decide to burn.
I learned I need to do

as I'm told and so:

I got Roses Today.

So beautiful
I could barely see

through the dark shades I'm forced to wear now
to hide...