feed the beast

minced words like masticated meat
sticking in between teeth
for days
hot pokers left in fire too long
rusted and ruined like spangles
some shaken loose
left in the dust and shit from the circus
when it left town
rains only muddy the waters
not cleansing the palette
too late for regrets
when the abscess takes over
the whole mouth shouts out
free me!
the shrill cry swallowed by train’s howl
keep feeding the beast left behind
it’ll be sated enough, stay quiet enough
til no one remembers the urban legends
or the grainy footage