She apologized for
the embers he left
in her mind
and for every singed lock of hair
She dropped to her knees
and begged for forgiveness
She said sorry
for protecting the tatters
of her heart
For the shaking earthquake
her hands had become
and for wrapping her arms
tightly around her torso
She regretted trying to hold
her crumbling frame together
When he was not finished with her yet