Learning the Hard Way

When he returned from combat unharmed,

I was so thankful-

The same loving guy,

But tense, somehow,

Like a wire wound too tight:

So quick to react,

His face angry and cold.

No more impetuous "boo" games now,

No more springing on him, laughing,

From a hidden place...

"Don't do that honey! Never do that!"

There it was again-

Something in him, surfacing,

...En garde tactics, swift and deadly

As the cutting edge of steel...

Something threatening the innate sweetness

In his nature.

I tried to understand,

But sometimes I forgot,

Until that incident

In the shadow of the church-

Quick steps in the darkness,

A long arm grabbing me,

Derisive words hissing in my ear...

A crazy, silly giggle...

And the smell of death in the wind.

Breaking free, I ran,

Pounding on the locked door of the church

Until it opened...

Yes, oh yes, my darling,

Now I understand!

I can hear them still-

Those footsteps, so purposeful,

Coming up behind me.