The Beast

               
                    The beast that dwells within me
                    is a beast of ice and fire.
                    It lives in the midst of my bowels.
                    It can freeze or singe my desires.
                    It's not a beast of toil or burden.
                    For me, it carries no load.
                    It just moves around inside of me.
                    My emotions are used for its roads.

                    When my heart feels love, the beast appears
                    clawing till it makes a gape.
                    And out of that hole it put in my heart
                    all the love that I've had escapes.
                    "Beast leave me now!", I shout in anger.
                    "Don't plague me now", I cry.
                    For fear if it stays with me much longer
                    my soul, like myself, may die.

                    I think that the beast has now left me.
                    There's an easiness that I feel from within.
                    My souls soars free like the eagle
                    and I've found I can love again.

                                                           10/81