Love and Hate

This poem explores the struggle of coping with betrayal, deception, and lingering hurt from someone close—most likely a family member. The speaker observes how a person who seems unaware or indifferent to their actions can inflict deep emotional wounds:

• Lines like “how does one that thinks you think cares / look at you with a straight face / and never see your love and grace” express disbelief and pain at being misunderstood or unacknowledged.

The poem moves through a cycle of recognition and pain:

• The speaker notes the hurt caused over years: “family can plan and scan / and hurt you through the years.”
• Despite being hurt, there is a pull to return and forgive, likened to how animals like cats or dogs return to those who have hurt them: “but like a cat or dog you go back again.”
• The emotional tension is clear in lines like “the pain deepens within your heart / as you recognize the daggers that she shoots like a dart,” highlighting the intensity of betrayal and deceit.

As the poem progresses, the speaker wrestles with forgiveness versus anger:

• Even after recognizing the lies and the cruelty, the speaker tries to hold back emotions: “i go day by day / holding back teardrops / trying to hide my pain.”
• Ultimately, the poem turns toward seeking divine help, acknowledging that human strength alone is not enough to overcome the emotional burden:
• “dear God lend me your hand / Help me deal with this hate and pain / and learn to love again.”

Key Themes

• Betrayal and emotional pain
• Difficulty of forgiveness
• Long-term impact of deceit within family
• Seeking strength beyond oneself, especially through faith
• The struggle to love again after being hurt

Overall Meaning

This poem captures the inner turmoil of being hurt by someone close, the challenge of forgiveness, and the need for divine guidance to heal. It’s a deeply personal reflection on how betrayal can weigh on the heart and the courage it takes to release anger and rediscover love.