HandmeDown

I was the howling beast
I was the borderline--the space
I wedged between
you and me

I created the distance
that separated us
I blew our dreams
to smithereens

Mine were the demons
of emotion
of feelings
of over-sensitivity
of drama
of charades

Mine was the sin of
self-destruction
the beast flailing madly
fangs snapping and foaming
claws slashing and tearing
until the destruction
was complete and
completely without
any possible
amends
rendering
any apology
mere idiot wind

I perpetrated all
that destruction
upon myself
but I left you
blood-spattered
and gasping
and running
for your life

I was both beast from hell
and the emotional pit
from where
I summoned
forth that self

everything within me
kisses that beast good-bye

let me be

and let me be
the Kind Judas
unto that anti-christ
I was to you--
this Beast
I wish to crucify
I wish to die
I wish never resurrected