Tough Love

We were there again
   your face in mine,
      up against the wall

         your thick fingers making their way
      closer to my neck,
   your thumb nails
marking my collarbone with half birds.

I didn't dare close my eyes
  as you yelled heredity into my mouth

    I didn't dare open my mouth
  as you let your eyes flare with intensity

and I watched you try to hold on to the love in your eyelashes
    that your parents had distorted so long ago.