I lie in my cave of comfort

Snug under a canopy of security

Weighted down, almost suffocated

After all, armor is heavy too...

My hands escape

Raise up

Ready to conduct a symphony of shadows

Fingers curl and attach and sway

Attack one another in a scene of battle

Just to make me smile

A sound in the silence

Quiet

But choking

A giggle

A laugh

Coming from underneath my bed...

Fingers stiff

Frozen in the spotlight

Stage fright

Tat, tink, tap

Jagged claws wrap around iron wrought

Drags a burdened body from the darkness

Spilling vomit of criticism and curses

Painting the floor

From cracked oily lips

Crooked yellow teeth grin and chatter

Ill laughter

Sunken skin

Sick and charred

Hollow cheeks

Hollow hollow of the throat

A gaping hole of venom voice

Shoulders jagged and limbs

Like broken branches

Steel wool for hair

Wrapping around shaky ankles

Large black eyes with sparks of

Rage

Jealousy

Disgust

Rolling and rolling

Spinning in that monster’s skull

Wild

I’m scared

I’m so scared

Because this monster is me