“Are you sure about this one?” they asked,

in a passive southern manner meant to communicate caution or concern.

Wouldn’t have mattered anyway,

nothing said in love would’ve landed on my life.

Because I was too high on the feelings,

of being wanted,

of being held,

and my ears clogged with everything I wanted to hear.

For once in my life, I was somebody to someone who wasn’t my momma,

How could my friends be so wrong?

How could this go wrong?

Then the lies began to mount,

and evolved into ongoing gaslighting,

my fears and instincts in error.

Then her kind words faded to darkness,

and all she wanted was my time and resources.

Which, I gave.

Because, I loved her.

Because, I was a man, destined to suffer this woman.

And then, I suffered her fists.

Yes, her fists.

And it became clear,

this demon had no boundaries,

or limits to her depravity.

And by the grace of God,

I walked away before my seeds sprouted,

and rooted me forever to my foolish choices.