Monster

as forbidding as the mask you wear
to hide the unfaithful face,
the treachery
and the pretense

the aversions,
an ire–
the price you pay for a well-played game
of poisoning hearts,
Monster!

not hiding under my bed,
but obverse, bearing deadly fangs

yes,
your venom might have killed this body
but see,
you're just a monster Hydra
whilst I've got the Phoenix in me