He Said and She Said

He said. She said. It’s always the same. Who will try to apologize? Who will take the blame? Who can hurt who the worst? Who can call the worst name? Who will give up? Who will give in? Who will walk away? When does somebody finally win? Accusations are made with words that are hateful and vial. Only to be answered with claims of blatant denial. Dark secrets. Hiding behind the colorful lies. Fresh bruises. Another black eye. Strangers stare. Neighbors pry. Make up never covers the bruises, but still you try. High anxiety. Low Blows. Swollen lips. A bloody nose. Followed by vague and shallow apologies. Along with an occasional red rose. Leaving broken dreams and broken hearts. Lives are devastated and your world is ripped apart. Promises of Never Again are made, and broken like each time before. You don’t even remember a time with things were different anymore. Everything is broken and the pieces lie shattered on the floor. You try to pick them up, but the pieces won’t fit together any more. And through it all, as usual, nobody won and nobody kept score. Loreen Parke September 20, 2006