I have fought the monster long
have struggled against its pull
the monster is, at heart, strong
thrashing against my skull
its pulse beats in tandem with my own
yet not trapped in the same vein
it's embedded beneath bone
kept shaded in shame
it mocks me in darkest hour
my structure its battle-ground
I let it have all the power
succumbed without a sound
I let it thrive beneath this skin
heard it grind against the confines
its lips twisting mine into a grin
my body following its lines
I gave refuge to this monster
surrendered my bones to its control
turned myself into a watercolour
with a wash-away soul
it masqueraded in my skin
holding me up right
where my bones were apt to cave in
it pulled my muscles like strings tight
the monster played the part of me
in order to silence this mouth of mine
dug in deep within this body
created a facade that was "fine"
while I shriveled up inside
the monster took my place
to in plain sight hide
it lived right beneath my face
but it was dark beneath my skin
so I opened up my mouth
which did indeed let the light in
by letting the monster out...