He
spoke
love but—
flayed her back
with his painful tongue
and left her whip-lashed and tender.
He
seemed
kind but—
he peeled her
like a ripe lychee
bit her flesh and left her crying.
She
spoke
untruths—
I tripped over
I spilt the hot tea
I am fine-please don't make a fuss!
They
seemed
nice so—
when she screamed
you closed your ears tight.
She died fenced in by your silence.