Poet’s Note: As I entered my mid-twenties, I had a few more darker poems come forward. Some of them aren’t as dark as I remember, but still, forewarning as we catch up to my current age. Thanks for following and reading!

The inner beast rises again,
its be-fanged serpentine head
appearing into view.
Its crimson smile tells me the breaking point is near,
causing a delight to creep into the valley of my desire
from a dark-seeded anger that flourishes within.
Hands become claws ready
to incur carnage where it will.
The pleasure of this destruction creating a quickened heartbeat,
legs trembling from the after effects.
I give in to the beast,
becoming one with it,
raging through the world.
Unchecked and unstoppable until
the beast tires of its activities,
its hunger satisfied.
It whips its tail in malicious mischievousness,
slicing my human cheek so I never forget
how much I enjoyed releasing the beast,
or the painful pleasure of its destruction.

© Johanna Fugitt 2017