The Perfect Love
by Sheldon Bourne

My man is so perfect
From the hair follicle to the sole of his feet
Even to the point when he balls up his hands
And his fists my lips meet

My man is so lovely
He loves me for me
I know he does
By the way he loosens and shatters my teeth

I love my man
He’s all the man I will ever need
He reminds me that he loves me, that I am loved
Through every black eye he gives that I receive

Through the rape, the shame, all the hurt and pain
My man stays handsome
Continues to be idolized
Our love doesn’t change it remains the same

How dare I be ungrateful
Because of my swollen jaw
He didn’t have to touch me
He didn’t have to leave those permanent scars

I know I’m not his only lover
But I’m the one he truly adores
Why else would he leave me?
With all these black and blues open sores

He loves to aggressively receive my body
It’s not abuse, I’m only being used
But I’m ala right, it’s all out of love
Why then do I feel so confused?

After careful thought and consideration
I’ve finally realized my errors
He gives, he takes, and I receive selfishly
But yet I have nerve to be bitter

So I’ve decided that I am not worthy
To live in his heart or his world
I’ll rid himself of this burden; me
By purging this world of my soul
By taking my life I made it a better place
For him to love another again
His love for me will continue to burn strong
Like this fiery torment, that I endure hell has no end

Thank you for being my man
Forever and always, my perfect love

(From The Perspective of Someone Battered)