Eyes bruised black and blue.
Lips swollen. Split by a clenched fist.
It was her fault, her partner said.

She fled silently in the night to avoid confrontation.

Far from the pain she gazed at the reflection in the mirror
and prayed a smile would return to her mournful face.

John B. Sinclair is a much-travelled Scot who has now returned to Scotland, where he enjoys freelance writing on a variety of subjects.