Tread Carefully

  Insecurity entangled in a fragile mind
His ego swells while her sense of self dies
Tensions rise as she faces double binds
Set up to fail again
   she falls short in his eyes

   Meek and powerless in a frail shell
Her hope dissolves as his anger climbs
Whispered apologies spill from trembling lips
Suddenly running crimson as
   his hands return to his sides

   Cross his fingers and hope to lie
A veil of deceit crumbling before her feet
Illusions of a joyful life begin to waver
Trail of blood pools
   from disobeying so many rules

   Regardless of her efforts she’s unable to avoid his temper any longer
A defense woven from words he used against her
On her knees for the final time and courage boiling over
His masquerade unravels quickly as
   a porcelain doll begins to shatter