Beast of Survival

mirror, pretending to be innocent. 

A lie must be told so you will not see

the beast that eats your soul, so abhorrent!

Corners of the mouth stretch, the flesh reveals

teeth that are weapons when the jaw snaps.

All that is seen is a smile that conceals

how monsters move in shadow, setting traps.

Lashes flutter as eyes search for exits.

Excited and Anxious may look like twins.

Ignore the monster, refuse to admit

you learned from living through others' sins.

You may hate the monster you became,

but that beast has kept you in the game.