Beast Within

Within my heart, there lies a beast. Ungodly and awful, not to clever in guise. Deep,
within the soul of me, this beast prowls restlessly throughout night and day. Behind my
eyes a clearer image of the beast lurks silently in the shadows.

Repugnant and distasteful, I feel it naught, but know it lies within me. For people shy from me and never close in to near my presence without quickly scurrying away. Furtive looks and fearful cast glances greet me wherever I might go.

I never realize it lurks there, hiding in the dark recesses of my soul. I feel perfectly normal, but know from the way people shun me that the beast prowls ceaselessly. On rare occasion, someone sees past the apparition and smiles a fleeting beam of sunshine into the murkiness enshrouding me.

Without exception, the smile fades. The gloom returns and the shadows again chase away the light. Why? What manner of creature is it that lies within me? Oh, happiness, happiness, wherefore art thou?

Life is pain and pain is life. My life, at any rate. Life seems to be a ceaseless journey, stumbling through the darkness, tripping over countless unfriendly obstacles. Searing, shooting agonies befall
me at every step.

I wistfully recollect visions of times when light illuminated the shadows.