Bruised Love

A midnight thirst sent me padding to the kitchen for a jelly jar of water and an accidental run-in with my sister. She tiptoed in, late and limping, her cheek raw as red-brown meat. I caught a quick glance in the chilly glow of the refridgerator before she had a chance to hide the latest souvenir her boyfriend gave her.'I bruise easily' is one of the lies she sprinkles like sugar. But Im a teen not brainless. Besides, I knew the truth at ten.'He'll never do it again, ' she swears. But he will, because she'll let him. Now, me? I've got no use for lame excuses or imitation love that packs a punch.

Symone Johnson

(The poet, not the homegrown one!)