the big fight

the fight
is over something
small,
you can't even
remember what
it was,
but it's a
spark, a flicker
of flame
that's enough
to set
the moment
on fire.
she calls you
a name,
it might be lazy
and you return
the jab
by calling
her stupid.
she calls you fat
and dim witted,
and you ask
her to go
look into the mirror
at her
wrinkles, which
makes her
throw
a book a you.
why don't you read
something
instead of watching
tv, she says.
which makes
you turn on
the tv, and
smile. you know
that the first
one to smile
has won, and so
does she,
as she slams
the bathroom
door, taking in
her face cream.