A Presence in the Dark

A Presence in the Dark. Acrylic on Canvas. 4.14.10

The Angler Fish:

"Angler fish are the members of the order Lophiiformes. They are bony fish named for their characteristic mode of predation, wherein a fleshy growth from the fish's head (the esca or illicium) acts as a lure; this is considered analogous to angling."

Here is the thing about you:

A dream undone

you waited in the dark,

with slicing teeth and calculating eyes,

devoid of reason or sanity

compassion or humanity

you waited

your scales grotesque,

glittering in the foul eruption

of your broken frame,

your lifeless heart

a dull phantom refrain

of a song no one could bear to hear.

Thing of nightmares

you bid your time

til you were born,

of greed and scorn

to feed on fear.

Bottom dweller,

into the madness hid,

your glint of teeth

a murderous smile upon your

loathsome scheme.

you, unseen,

did not swim.

To wait and watch

your prey unlock insanely

in the deepest dark

you thieved the weak

you ate the hearts

you knew

would never belong to you.