peel the bandage back
beg for cleansing
beg for mercy
beg for attention,
but you shy away from the sting

The violin used to play for you,
but strings once stretched
dangle now
broken and frayed
as your left afraid of your own face

Your shaking shadow tip toes around you
where everyone can see
not you
not now
not even as the ground trembles
underneath your timid toes

It's not a devil that stalks you
it's not some shapeless, wispy ghost
that floats
behind you and makes your hair stand up
It's tangible truth tickling your comfort
and freezing out your warm spot

She is a monster that does not hide
She walks your path with you
waiting
plotting
excited for the day you turn around and look
in the mirror so that she can devour you