Again

who are you
but a piece of legal paper
a husband by marriage
a man I once thought owned me

I wear your discontent
like black and white stripes
invisible ropes that tie me to you
your rage up close

I cannot look away

or is love a knife
that cuts the heart
and ropes in one slice
so I can stand just far enough

burned by the blaze
a small hole
I’ll always carry with me
dripping a trail of blood

a thin red line

tears wash stains away
I walk back to where
the smoke rises
and you stand

with open arms