for the fifth time this month you say you’re going to leave

for the fifth time this month
you say you’re going to leave him
he calls you a c.unt over the phone
then walks the three miles to your house
and kisses your mouth until the word is just
a place on your body.
i don’t know what brings broken people together
maybe damage seeks out damage
the way stains on a mattress halo into one another
the way stains on a mattress bleed into each other.