That Woman Poem by RIC BASTASA

that woman, when did she ever learn
not to slap you again?

she will never tell you when she will stop.
and you have always been compliant
a christian

as soon as she is finished slapping your right cheek
you soon ready the left cheek and you give her all the joy
of her sadism.

you are not the masochist.you are my wife.
and i am teaching you that her reign is over.

my hands have touched your cheeks and healed the bruise
the pain that seeps down to the layers of your skin
to the years of your burden

let me touch them again like i am a leaf to a whorled vine
i have the cure
this love of mine

i have these fingers that can unlock the reason of your
pain.
let me open the door for you. let me close it
away from that witch
let the white dove
fly finally to the skies

look at me. now my dear wife
you are free!