“The Monster” by Sophie Miller ’22

The Monster

By Sophie Miller ’22

As I tiptoe across my bedroom I taste your shadow Forever just a step behind me Watching

Always You feel the same Curdled breath sticking to my collarbone Phantom claws ripping my back open like wrapping paper

But tonight Instead of running I wonder

What if I reached out my hand? Caressed pincers with a soft palm Felt muscle beneath those child-shredding talons Matched your rhythm

Do you have a heart? Does it beat like mine? Speed up when you’re near me? Keep you swaddled tight in a spiderweb of capillaries Until I decide to stay here with you forever?

Yes, to flee would be wasteful. Fruitless. I cannot escape your pulsating thrall I no longer want to

Do I love you monster? Your ever presence comforts me Your venom makes me blush But I know you think about me too These nights we lose ourselves in each other Somehow you understand everything. You know me better than I know myself

I think I need you monster. You complete me. You are me Gracefully wrong Eternally right. What made me run before?

Such a fool I was. I’ll never leave you again