Scratch

He crawled under my skin 

With his sickly skinny fingers

Clawing to get into

My sweet soft flesh.

He lingered with hot breath for seconds too long.

He wanted more.

He always did.

He wanted more since the day we met.

Since the day wet dripped down the length of my leg 

And he slid his finger along my side 

With the subtle excuse of keeping me dry.

Since I was kissed for the very first time  

And his hands slithered below my hemline.

He did all this because

He loved me.

He loved me he loved me he called me he kissed me he loved me he walked me he kissed me he walked me he called me he loved me he loved me he loved me he loved me he kissed me he walked me he kissed me he kissed me he loved me he loved me he loved me at first sight he loved me indefinitely he loved me he kissed me he

Clenched my throat in his loving caress,

His bony fingers slipping

With determination.

He whisked my neck to break the blood

To hinder its vibrant red so that 

When we heard my mother’s footsteps

We’d be watching a movie peacefully

With plausible deniability

With secrets stuffed under the mattress 

She bought for me when I was ten.

I swallowed my little sore scratch

Because he loved me.