My heart swelled with desire
For the Beast of the Wildlands
That lurked among the forested mountains.
For just a moment as it crested the rock
Its great shaggy head turned and stopped
and its golden eyes blazed indifferently through my soul
Before it turned and loped beyond the horizon.
And I made a secret vow
to follow the Beast
to the ends of the earth - if needed.
And prove my love for him somehow.
And so I traipsed along the path
Following behind the great footfalls of my adored
Who took no notice,
Or just never cared
For the tiny mortal singing in its shadow.
Days turned into years somehow
and I still kept my vow.
Now shadows flit before my eyes
And my songs of love are broken cries.

Sometimes I catch myself thinking of you.
The way you held me captive with your stories.
The ridiculous ways you made me laugh.
The simple pleasure of your company.
But something happened.

Sometimes I remember the way you held me.
The scent of your skin is still maddening,
As is the memory of your hair.
I often professed a love for you.
To which you would reply - off handedly I now realize.

Sometimes I think of the way you dissed your ex.
You would pointedly ignore, to discipline his tardiness.
And once you had gone you answered my own words
With a curt 'too busy, can't talk right now.'
What did I do, that you are afraid of me?

Before you left you often asked, in a wistful sigh
'Now what am I going to do with you?'
Am I just some stray dog for you to drown?
I ain't your **** prison *****!
Why did you use me like that?

I hear you now, across the globe.
You profess how you always try to show kindness.
And are quick to moan about how others take advantage of you.
*****! I hiss through venomous fangs spawned in your honour.
How dare you gloat, when you use your friends like welfare checks.

Sometimes I remember how I used to think of you.
And my heart sickens to acknowledge my foolishness.
I hate you, because you gave me a reason to hate myself.
You ruined me, my friend!
I was perfectly content before, why did you want to destroy me?

I have this friend monstrosity
He is the worst of company
Each morning when from bed I rise
His snaggled grin greets my eyes.
Together we clump down the stairs
I brush my teeth, he sheds some hair.
Next our breakfast we partake,
Mine is pancakes, his is steak.
We go outside to attend the chores,
He dawdles away until half past four.
I begrudgingly take him to the park.
And let him loose until almost dark.
When I call him back to take him home
I am greeted by snarling, blood chilling moans.
Getting him back to the yard is a fight.
My only blessing is he's afraid to bite.
Once in the house he must be cleaned
That is when he gets real mean.
Keeping him in the tub is a life or death struggle
He likes dunking my head until he sees bubbles.
Once cleaned and fed I bid him good night.
His howls keep me up for most of the night.
I have this friend monstrosity,
Would you kindly steal him away from me?

I hope to God I get another chance
After this life has served it's last
Just one go 'round isn't enough
To try every road I happen to pass

When we get to Heaven,
- I hope that Heaven is there
But just as much I need to have
An exit to earthbound stairs.

This life already has become a web
From all the chances I wanted to take
I couldn't leave well enough alone
So brace for the gossip at my wake

Maybe this isn't my first time out
Perhaps a challenge is what I asked?
It would explain the awkward hell I've raised
Out of these normal everyday tasks

I guess the challenge isn't over yet
since it appears I haven't died
So I might as well rough-it some more
There must be more out there to try...

If I do get another go
after this life start its decay
I hope that I can recall it well
I don't want my memories blown away

But maybe that is why we dream
those are fragments of days gone by
The petal stains of our previous lives
Pressed between the pages we live and die