Claws came out and we tore into each other’s

faults, rending self-worth from bone with hateful haste.

Our first fight may have been vicious,

but the make-up sex was animalistic.

Our bodies growled spiteful words

in wet whispers, rhythmic echoes

of the passionate indictments we had

just apologized for.

I’ll show you sorry, said

each thrust

each fresh bruise

each bead of sweat

each kiss.

Our muscles weren’t chiseled

as sharply as our tongues,

but they all were working

hard.