poetry 2017 / 091

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “The (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles could include: “The Poets,” “The Good Guys,” “The Bad Guys,” “The Last Thing She Said,” and so on.

Last Slap (I)

The time you slapped me

so hard my cheek split open on my tooth

was the last time I ever let you.

I walked out that day

and even though you told the police

I was a 'missing person'

I was easy to find

at the local hospital.

Last Slap (II)

I pulled the punches, the kicks.

I was told to hurt you

but I didn't really want to

and you cried anyway.

Consensual non-consent

anything goes, so long as it doesn't damage

or leave a lasting mark.

I think I was more shaken than you,

though the last smack

made you yelp

and to be honest,

my hand stung, too.