Jasmin Lyle Smith

Remember The Promise

The Pain . . .

I can barely remember what I did wrong,

Not through the pain.

But you're just barely getting started.

All I can remember is not to fight back.

I grit my teeth.

I remember the promise and slam my eyes shut, trying not to let the tears flow.

I can hear my own heart beating, in sync with the rapid pulsing inside my chest.

I can't hear you yelling, but I can see your lips moving.

I don't realize how quickly I'm taking breaths until you pause, breathing hard. Almost as hard as I was.

You scowl and reach for me once again. I don't move.

You rip the shirt off my back and I instantly curl in on myself, feeling exposed.

My face buried in the thick blue carpet. I don't see you pick up the back-scratcher from the nightstand.

I want to scream.

To fight back.

But I don't.

I must remember my promise.