Romantic Notions By Ivy Rose

while you paralyzed me with fear.

Dare I speak and tell you about my day?

You always had a much worse day than mine.

Dare I venture an opinion about anything?

You stopped me dead in my tracks

with your ominous demeanor and pinned me down.

But the next day you were all apologetic

sent me flowers, bought me expensive jewelry

Declared your love over and over again.

"Never forget how much I love you," you said.

Should I forget the scene at the restaurant

where you nearly assaulted a worker for parking too close?

You were gentle and generous to waitresses

but at home the wolf came out to prey.

You were generous with hugs and kisses

as long as I did everything your way.

Even compliant sheep have a breaking point.

One day you threatened to punch me through a wall

because I hit you accidentally with bags of laundry

that I had to carry up three flights of stairs. 

That day love and pain caused me to fly.

I said goodbye, moved out with no forwarding address.

I mailed your coat to you-a fitting end to my love and pain.