The Upper Hand by Lannie Stabile

For a moment there,
for just one
insane
narcissistic
self-serving
second

I saw your spine cracked in half
Tender body racked with black rain
Dry-heaving, cries leaving you red
Raw, like the very beginning

And I thought
so haughtily
that I had the upper hand

After all,
he never stirred a purge
Never disturbed your perfectness
quite like I did

And I smiled

And then that smile died
in its pocket

It occurred to me
you never shattered for him
Never split
into fine, golden, broken pieces
because he never gave you reason to

He kept you
whole