Monster Mine

Monster am I, worse than any who are

red in tooth and claw.

Unworried by bell, book or candle,

I will not be banished, exorcised

or worried into extinction within you.

Worse I am that what is shadowed

under the bed,

worse than the lurker in the wardrobe.

Unbidden, I abide in plain sight,

in day as well at night,

in all weather conditions of the soul,

in all latitudes of heart.

I have no need to hide,

so I declare brazenly with silence,

with my stare of stone,

unguessed guest at home in you,

my unmoving presence worse

than the elephant in the room.

No need of talons and teeth,

nor to threaten or roar,

I whisper to render things apart,

alpha and omega at your end.

I am your before and evermore,

I linger with you beyond,

substantial shadow on your soul,

beside and inside, once and always,

neither fish nor fowl

nor prowling beast,

but creature unclassified,

recognised as from the beginning,

even before Eden.

For deep within I stalk,

unbowed, accusing, not lost 

but loveless in a primal dawn,

just waiting to be born once more.