He

was crooked smiles,
16-gauge ears, with
yellow-stained fingers.
a leather jacket,
and a weightless body made of
skin and bones.

was average - lean
with brutal honesty
under a camo-army coat
and combat boots.
not a singlie lie -
just bold-faced,
life-scarring truths
and an obsession with guns.

You

were tall and graceful
with band tees and jeans.
evasive smiles and subject channges
you never lied to me and
you avoided the truth.
said "no", and you even
convinced me
to change my habits (the bad ones)
but not for you -
for me.

They

hurt to look at - to talk to.
hurting them gave me vengeance.

You

hurt to hurt.
hurting you hurt me - gave me guilt.
i never wanted to hurt you.