Click

It wasn't a loud sound
per se
but resonated deeply
each time I looked
                   into his eyes
                   briefly
                   penetrated through
                   his haze
                   and saw
the injured beast, writhing
and lashing out,
foaming at the mouth,
                   standing before him
unafraid
to listen
                    to his screams
     I wait...
for him to catch his breath
and re-stoke his anger
to re-assure
me
                      of fear
it becomes clear
he wants me
                      more than
afraid-

I stay still
staying
vulnerable
                      taking in
                      all the black hate
trying to
level up
with love
I try to feel
                       sorry-
for him
for us
for this pain-
sans blame-
when it clicked
                        the lock
and I rose

inhaling deeply,
and walked away.

Painting by William Kay Blacklock [Public domain].