I drank your poison

The illusion has been shattered;

shimmering white veil lifted to reveal

that which I'd already known,

but to my young eyes, could not recognize.

After all, you don't realize you've just swallowed poison until

sweat protrudes from the fine lines of your closed pores;

your knees buckle—you tumble down to the dusty floor.

As you take your dying breath, your eyes deadpan to

the one who was standing before you while you

Laughed

and drank.

and Laughed

and drank.

And all you'd known was joy;

And all you'd known was trust.

While the pit in your stomach told you otherwise,

you forced it down, you forced the laughs.

Until eventually you tricked your own self into believing

I enjoy this...

I really do.

This game we play:

you reveal your true self,

the one who only sees the light of day—

otherwise remains carefully concealed.

In this instance, you couldn't have meant to let them out.

Will you sacrifice your own daughter if it means

a new life for you?

As the life drains from my corpse—

fingers still clutching the vile you placed before me—

I still don't believe the truth.

I need proof.

Proof.

You gave me proof.

You, yourself, you handed it to me.

The evil, deadly proof.

Though it was your move that brought us to this check-mate;

though it was your carefully-crafted, steady hand;

while you kneel at my alter, confessing your sins,

it'll be my forgiving eyes viewing your soul from above.

While all those around me will seek your condemnation

still, such a move I wouldn't make.

For no matter the severity of your selfishness;

no matter the things your ego makes you do,

I still wouldn't believe—

I couldn't believe—

you mean the things you do

Surely, the bad guy always has a reasonable explanation

...

What's yours?