Ghoul

By force of will he held himself at bay,

But the sweet scent lured him toward the other anyway.

Light trembling was in his hands that held a coffee cup,

No courage to meet that gaze held far up.

Only when no one noticed him did he run his eyes over him from head to toe,

Wanting to see deeper and go farther, feel forever home.

But somewhere else he had to face a different man,

A man who claimed him dog and force himself upon him with his two hands.

He thrashed and choked

Under the pressure crushing his throat.

When the flames in his chest became unbearable

And the darkness in his vision became tangible,

He cared little for the beast that killed him

He dared to call out the one who was true to him.

The name broke through the force straggling his neck,

So satisfying to have been his last breath.

The smell of coffee gently swiveled in his nostrils,

Confusing him in this situation that held him so hostile.

Somewhere off the bed he heard one man beating the other,

Blow after blow, no hesitation, not a single stutter.

When the noise ceased

And his abuser’s death put him at ease

He was entranced by a gentler touch

From the one he desired so very much

He held no more strength to hold himself at bay

Allowing that sweet scent to lure him away