Apologies

Apologies

"I hate you."
You beat your hands
ineffectively
against my skin,
screaming
that the world is not fair.

"I told you so."
You waited for that.
The words that we knew
I would say.
You dug yourself a grave,
now get out.

"You're heartless."
Your accusation,
hurled like stones,
sting,
and is proof enough
that I am not.

"You need to learn."
While I would like
nothing more than to hug
you and wipe away tears,
a lesson had to be learned,
despite the pain.

You react as expected,
leaving to seek comfort
elsewhere.
The silence between us
lasts for days.

Yet, there is a pull.
Tugging us back together
with sheepish smiles
and an offered
apology.

"I'm sorry."

Tough love was never easy.