Who was your beast
and
where have you
buried him?
Is his crypt sealed tight
or
is it temporary?
Does he slither out
when you least expect
choking,
tormenting
paralyzing?

Who was your beast?
Does the voice persist
in your head
and
echo
in your gut
blaming,
chiding,
terrorizing?

Do fiery eyes
and
sharp tongue
raise welts
like those that burned
and
ravished
smooth
young skin,
their healing
only superficial
as the venom
seeped in
eager to impregnate
your soul
and
spawn
the next beast.