Beasts of Men

Beneath the clouds
of ivory foam,
the emerald water
is the sky in
an alternate universe.

The shouting from
outside the door was
muffled and blasted
as her ears bobbed
rhythmically against
the rocking of
the liquid cradle.

Submerged is she,
in an unsettling sleep.

For there was he,
haunting her dreams;
his sardonic smile
plastered across
cheek to cheek.

Like a submissive prey,
she was caught in
a hypnotic trance.

Still as the silence
she laid beneath his weight,
clad in their primitive skin.

With battered breath,
he muttered things
into her ears.

The words were inaudible,
but the hatred was clear.

The silver of his tongue
sliced through her flesh.

Deep in her heart
the tip of
the blade seek---
it wanted blood,
and drew it quick.

The crimson clouded
the tub of emerald sea,
and he was laughing
with triumph
at his masterpiece.

She laid unfaltering
and watched his grin
subside with a
sobbing plea.

The boy sat in the
bath with her,
sporting the same
scars as she did.

The world outside
got noisier, thus
she returned to sleep.

"There's more to
the world, my child.

If our differences
are endless,
then leave me be.

Should you be
here to stay,
then give me peace."

Her blood fondled
the angry child that
lives within the beast.

The prayer was uttered
in the soapy water
salted with his tears.

A ritual of cleansing
from the malice
that invaded her ears.