Monster

Originally written in 2010, I revisited this piece to better reflect the person I have become. It is a look back at a time when anger felt like an inescapable shadow and the constant effort it took to

Monster

I wasn't the man I longed to be

Chained to the anger inside of me

Rage and anger were all that I knew

A darkness that deepened as I grew

****

A mask worn of a practiced smile

Inside I felt bitter and vile

It scorched my soul with a heated rage

I had to keep him in his cage

****

For had I, you'd not like what you'd see

That raging monster once within me

Pushed that part of me deep in the dark

But he was strong and has left his mark

*****

 

 

Author's Note

This is a 2025 revision of a poem I originally wrote in 2010. I have updated the tense to reflect my personal growth and tightened the meter and imagery. I welcome all reviews and honest feedback—specifically on the flow and the emotional impact of the transition from the "mask" to the "monster." Thank you for reading.