Why I Stay

His hugs are hands around my throat,
Look for the words he never wrote,
I choke on what I need to float,
Spilling blood into the boat.

Carve out my eyes and make me blind,
So I won't feel you in my mind,
Release the soul you have confined,
And lonely, let it fall behind.

Lifeless eyes of the lifeless boy,
Is what he uses to destroy,
And me, his loving, willing toy,
I'll hurt so I can see his joy.

But I can't live as though asleep,
You make me cut my skin too deep,
You laugh as blood begins to seep,
But stumble when I start to weep.

I wonder why my life is bleak,
Why I stay, but cannot speak,
You softly kiss my tear-stained cheek,
So I stay because we're weak.