What do you tell the woman you love,
While your fist raises,
While your eyes flare fiery red,
While your teeth clench?

What do you tell your lover,
As the welts swell,
As your river flows freely from your bloodshot eyes,
As you whimper rather than yell,
As you shake your head no?

You say three simple words
I love you
I love
I

"I hurt." "I'm frustrated." "I'm out of control and have no clue how to regain control." "I can't express it other than to share it with you - a cruel grip of hurt." "I need a time out!"

Very well depicted. I've been on both sides of this fence, there are no winners-------until, yes, until the way to self-control is found and the lashing out ends. It is not simple, there are many factors, but, but, but YES it is possible! Attention, constant attention to reactions is required to begin with. Triggers are found, causes of inflammation are identified, then the process of "Uh-oh, here I go, where to direct it instead, how to direct it instead?" The answers evolve just as the current reactions evolved. I always thought of it as reprogramming myself.

Powerful...

I would change the 'What do you tell...', to "Why do you tell"...

Definitely a powerful write...

thanks folks, now U urge me to try to construct another...annnnnnd I will!