Claw Scars

 I faced the beast; so dark and cunning

Well charmed behind a smile

With talons sharpened through the years

He can deceive you for awhile

And I naïve, with loving heart

Did lay it bare believing;

Then claws sunk deep; my stunned delay

His sport! His game! His feeding!

“Please stop. That hurts.” I tried to say

To reach the man inside

The demon twists the message, though

To keep all love denied

This battle is not mine; but his

And he alone must choose

To slay the beast within and win

Or fight with love and lose.

I faced the beast; dark and cunning

Well charmed behind a smile

Claw scars now run deep within

My healing may be awhile…