By Essie Newton
-
I am a
monster
Lurking under
your children’s bed. My eyes glow in the dark
And your blood
runs deep red.
I am
psychotic,
Your worst
fears come true.
My soul is as
dark as Hell.
My torn wings
are what I rue.
I am a
manipulator.
I hunt in broad
daylight
For
unsuspecting victims.
My screams ring
in the night.
I am a
serpent,
A twisted, evil
creature.
My eyes turn
you to stone
And my words
belong to a besieger.
I am no more
than lies,
My mouth only
opens to sin.
I flee from
your riots
And your sacred
passion.
I am
unhuman.
My birth is
nothing but a thrill.
I hold no power
over you
And yet I am
able to tempt and maim and kill.
I am a
sinner,
As you claim to
be too.
But my
happiness is evil
And your
hypocrisy is virtue.
I am a
mirror,
My only actions
are to reflect.
But the image
that I show is despicable, Therefore I must be incorrect.
I am a
heretic.
My internal
battles were lost.
I willfully ran
from the devil
And happily
paid the cost.
I am a
whore.
My sole purpose
is my body.
When I am
struck by your sword,
Your bloodshed
belongs to me.
I am
hideous.
My unmutilated
body is what you grieve. When my chest is constricted
That is when I
am finally able to breathe.
I am the
morning star,
While you carry
the banner of the Most High. My fallen state was from your broken promise To
protect me from violence that you now justify.
I am a
child,
One of the ones
you claim to save.
But you point
to me as a demon
For it is my
deep red blood that you crave.
I am no more a
monster,
Then you are a
prophet.
You stone me
over and over,
As I cry for
you to stop it!
Why must you
attack me?
I was never a
threat to your might.
Can’t you see
that you are the very demons That you swear to fight?
I am harmed
owing to your hatred. I am suffering at your claws.
I am bleeding
from your torture.
I am dying
because of your laws.
I am a
child!
I am a child!
About the Author
Essie Newton (they/them) is in their second and final year at ICC. They currently live in Peoria, Illinois, and plan on attending EIU to get their bachelor’s degree. Essie prefers to write fiction creatively but will delve into their own experiences for both fictional and nonfictional pieces. Other than writing, Essie enjoys playing video games and listening to music.