If You Have Ever
Known a Monster
by Leland James
Its shadow grows with failing light,
a spill of ink, a fluttered cape, shapes
half seen, night wings beating—
It seeps into a shivered place,
seeks to know, to dwell once more,
to live again in stolen breath.
The sun cannot burn it away.
Sea waves cannot wash it clean.
Summer sand cannot bury it.
It seeps, it spills, it seeks….
If you have ever known a monster,
ever tasted its unwanted kiss,
know this: it never goes away.
Heed not its call, feed not its lust,
wear not the shroud of death it brings.
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