Beloved

by Randy Ai

My pain is a lonely child
Left alone in the street
Crying for attention
Upon the first drops of rain

I struggle to ignore him
Walk away, and live life
Find happiness in love
And find hope in the puddles

But even as I am brave
His soft eyes beckon me;
My beloved lures me
As he craves my every touch

Suddenly, his hands grab me
Refusing to let go
Scorching my exposed body
And poaching my will to live

His set of pale, hungry teeth
So piercing and merciless
Sinks deeply into me
As though my flesh was his feast

“Child, you are all grown up now!”
I scream out in despair,
“Leave your only father
To die alone in his peace”

He looks at me in pity
But his teeth sink deeper
Not enough to kill me
So that soon he can eat again