I picked on you with my love
as boys and sometimes men fight:
to touch one another without the callused glove.
I picked on you with my love
because I could do nothing else:
All day then, all day now it is what I thought of.
I picked on you with my love,
as does the abusive husband hide his fright
in naked power bringing to ground the gentle dove.
I picked on you with my love
as the lion the lioness:
Power and might otherwise unheard-of.
I picked on you with my love
because I was desperate and had no other sword
than this oh most pernicious love.
I picked on you with my love
as a man will dream hopes and fantasies ~~
And as God chastises those He doth love.
All this I did that you might safely keep
in your heart a remnant of my love.
Mea Culpa. Mea Goddamned Culpa.