The Beast

Why do you fear and hate me so ‑

and shackle me with your chains of compassion and tears.

I have served your fathers and your fathers fathers

and I have loved and served you.

I whisper and you travel with me in your dreams ‑

We have raced together through the forest on all fours ‑ laughing

and torn the life out of all that came in our way.

Blood flowing in exquisitely winding rivers ‑

I was there when all others failed you ‑

I was faithful, always your true salvation ‑

In the night I make love to your soul.

I am always there ‑ waiting.

I am the color of a razor's edge ‑

I hiss the sound of blood ‑ I smell of metal.

Justice? I am justice.

Sins of the day ‑ but the night belongs only to me ‑

I take the tears of children ‑

and serve them to their accusers a thousand fold in crimson.

I lick up the blood of the innocent ‑

Only in me can peace be found ‑

Only in my shadow are the haunting whispers silenced ‑

the laughing demons of other times slaughtered.

Come.

Drink me ‑ make love to me ‑ welcome me ‑ taste my blood.

Travel with me again ‑

There is no fear with me ‑ no shame

No guilt.

No history.

Nothing........