You are of Shylock. And unlike Shakespeare’s Antonio I find myself wanting to settle your pound of flesh Blood veins and all. I wish to rip out of me All that you are. I wish to wipe clean All the roads that lead to you, All the hallways echoing of you, All the little creeks littering my bones - made for you. Your being rattles abound my skull A constant reminder of what has been what never will be I want it gone. I want to switch off the lights to this I want to pull the plug on whatever dying part of me still with you I want to drive a sword through the monsters you've breed for me I want to remove remove remove this essence of yours Tainting defiling rotting Mine skull Mine blood Mine bones Down towards my very soul. -M.A