Released from this atrocious cage,
An animal bursts from the core of me.
He maintains my callous facade,
And yet is bound to my very being-
So that he may not stray far and neither may I.

There is a leash and I do not yet know who bears the collar.
He is an enraged beast and I am but a liability.
Nothing will stop him from running and ripping my heart out,
Beating fast, unable to keep pace;
Nothing will stop him from halting in his tracks,
Preventing the next step along the path I've chosen.

Perhaps someone may tame him.
Those who have tried have been defeated;
Mauled by his furious resentment for failure
Regardless of my attempts to protect them — to perfect them;
Regardless of my appeasement.

Perhaps someone may destroy him.
Or maybe just release him from this bond
And bring him to where he belongs.
But he was born in me; how could he belong anywhere?
I was mistaken with his purpose, it seems.

I am his sole contrast.
I am his body — he is my soul.
He is what I have suppressed and forced to nothing
As I attempt to appear as though it is what I want.

I have abused him and neglected to make amends
And he has returned with sharpened claws and a vengeance.
He is as I am; he is a part of me.
He is the only good part of me — the only strong part of me,
And in the wake of his death I'd die alone.

So I myself will guard him with the vigor
I'd imagine I would reserve for you alone.
He is not to be touched; not to be desecrated,
As he has become more important to me than even you, my love.
And I depict his blinded dedication identical
To that which allows me to watch you go.