beast

I dream of the beast inside me
with a face like a man
but with a mouthful of broken fingers
and eyes like steel and frozen mud
It cradles a child in white
gently, tenderly holding it by its heel
in a river of blood and tears
I dream that the child is crying
as its eyes are washed away
there is a scream stuck in my throat
lashed down under layers of fear

I dream of the child inside me
hidden in the belly of an armored beast
with a face like a man