Cycles

you once flattered me
flowered me
caressed my face
held me tight
grabbed my arm
shoved me against a wall
called me a bitch
and apologized again
we make love
and make up
going on with our domestic
twisted little tv life
hatred and fear
keep repeating history
bruises appeared like
seasons of the year
convenience is not so easy
time slips away with codependency
change has loomed out my window
only after decades
and children
does courage arrive
providing the essentials
survival skills acquired
away I flee
barefoot, child in tow.