Softcore:
It takes more
than a
week
for the
swelling
to go
down,
the bright red
marks
to blend
into
purple yellow,
a
lenten sunset
of blood
and suffering.
On the
face
it's
worse,
especially
the
eyes.
finding a way
around dried
blood and
scab
to explain
the
fall,
the car
door
opening
in a
hurry,
by
mistake
that makes
him
break his
promise
not to
punch
or slap
openhanded,
marking his
territory
as his father
before him. |
Hardcore:
One day,
it somehow
becomes
an act
of fault.
Your own,
to incur
the
beating
your own,
to endure
the
pain
of some
garden curse
of
blood
or marriage blessing
of
love.
For better.
For worse.
For life. |
