I hate you

Those were the words that effortlessly flowed from my lips
Your response was
I know
I can only imagine that you said it with a smile
No, perhaps a smirk
It's a game we play
We've been playing it for the past 7 years

I hate you
I said it to your chest

As you held me close
As you laid your head on top of mine
Smelling my hair
Telling me it smells nice
You came to see me
The 1st time I've seen you in 8 months

I hate you
It's my way of not saying
What I really feel
What I'm afraid to feel
What I cannot reveal
My sentiments you already grasp
I've said those 3 words in succession
Countless times

I hate you
This time there is no kissing
No bending over
No making it clap
No nakedness
No warm baby oil
No massages
No tears

I hate you
Yet this time
I don't want to hold you captive
Or cuss you out
Nor slap your face
I only want to hold you
Be held by you
And breathe your scent

He told me sweet lies of sweet love

Heavy with the burden of the truth

And he spoke of his dreams

Broken by the burden

Broken by the burden of his youth

Fourteen years he said

I couldn't look into the sun

She saw him laying at the end of my gun

Hungry for life

And thirsty for the distant river

I remember his hands

And the way the mountains looked

The light shot diamonds from his eyes

Hungry for life

And thirsty for the distant river

Like the scar of age

Written all over my face

The war is still raging inside of me

I still feel the chill

As I reveal my shame to you

I wear it like a tattoo

I wear it like a tattoo

I wear it like a tattoo

--Helen Folasade Adu (Sade)