Queen & Monster

Noise everywhere.

Disrupting, grating,

Taunting, ripping

Their way into your head.

You had nowhere to hide.

The most you could do was

Cover your ears,

Shut your eyes,

Stay in the dark,

And hope the noise would die.

One night, he appeared.

A beautiful monster

Beckoning you forward

With his long claws,

Sharp teeth,

Warm, amber eyes,

And his sweet, sweet voice.

“Fair maiden, fair maiden,” he whispered.

“I promise to shield you from the noise.

No longer shall you whimper,

Or hide in a closet full of toys.”

You listened as the delicacies seeped into your ears,

Listened as he promised to build a wall, restraining your fears.

If only you would appease the hunger in him,

His ravenous desire for a partner of equal value,

A Queen who could rule by his side.

He extended a hand

And after falling into two pools of honey-colored eyes,

Melodious and peaceful and warm,

You grasped the monster’s hand.

He led you to a lovely place,

That had a large castle looming over a cliff’s edge.

Your new home contained endless food,

All kinds of treats,

A crown to sit over your dark curls,

And lovely gowns whose skirts flew around you

Whenever you spun around and around.

Laughing, singing

Embracing, living.

At last, you had somewhere to hide.

Noise everywhere.

Regretting, shouting,

Begging, crying

Their way into your heart.

It was of no avail.

You’d given it to your benefactor for freedom,

And must collect more to sustain

The kingdom you and your beautiful monster reign,

In the most vivid parts of your mind.