ACT FIVE.

HOW DID YOU SURVIVE? they ask.

how much did you have to bleed,
— UNTIL YOU HAD THEIR BLOOD
GLISTENING ON YOUR TEETH.

how long did they make you suffer,
— UNTIL THEIR SUFFERING PALED
IN COMPARISON TO YOUR OWN.

how long did they force you down,
— UNTIL IT WAS THEIR THROATS
PINNED UNDER YOUR BOOT.

how dark did they tint your dreams?
— UNTIL YOU LEARNED TO ENJOY
THE SOUNDS OF THEIR SCREAMS.

I DIDN'T. you reply.

TO DEFEAT MONSTERS,
YOU MUST BECOME
THE GREATER MONSTER.

—