She comes to him again, ray
Of warmth piercing through
Mud, sludge, scab, raw tears.
Spring rain knocks the roof
Of a festering winter,
Cleans, bandages, wreathes.

He yearns for her arms,
Flesh wrapping around the rust
Of jagged bones, jagged bars.
He prays that the keys are
Within her, that his marrow
The beast hasn't yet devoured.

He sees in her a saviour,
Rope to lift him. He dons her
With boiling tears strung by fear,
Gives her his whole heart,
Lined with red, fleshy fibre,
Throbbing, he pleads—

Will you save me please?

“With pleasure,” she grins
Before tearing his heart off,
Bites, gulps, licks, giggles.
She flattens out her petals,
Peels them away for one
Single pistil.