my heart is chambered, like a stone,
different keys fit different locks,
and I have swallowed them all

the contents are hidden and unknown,
even to me; that is,
until muscles contract, strangling, choking
my heart to bits,
it’s broken to bits,
laying exposed, beating to the world

crying shrilly to be led back into the dark woods
where the Monster lies.

there, it howls and growls intimidates,
holding the shaking creatures prisoner
inside its cave

but the Monster holds in its pocket,
jingling keys to the drawers,
gathering the bits,
and locking them back up

and I have swallowed that monster,
He feeds on my flesh,
growing more menacing with every beat of my
chambered heart.