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BREAKING
THE CHAINS <
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Monster
We
don't know the planet
the monster came from, only that
it
is here now and cannot return.
The keepers are not sure if it is harmful.
It
is like a chameleon or a spaceman
(it has pointed ears—perhaps it was on Star
Trek).
They
prod it to make sure it's still alive.
The monster stirs. Its face
is
nearly recognisable. The keepers feed it
as much as they are able, and sometimes
the
monster seems to humour them until
they almost think it may be tamed—but then
the
monster roars and will not be consoled.
The keepers watch it, knowing now
they
cannot penetrate its private grief,
and fear the wordless rage that tortures it.
At night
it
is kept behind bars for its own protection.
They try to make it comfortable.
The
monster smiles. The keepers both relax,
rocking it into a milky sleep.
© Godfrey Rust 1986, godfrey@wordsout.co.uk. See here for permissions.