Crouching

Looking underneath the table.
Balls of dust. Crumbs of food.
Darkness feels its lonlinest.

The boy crouched down to hide his face.
Glares of shame. Words of hate.
Out of his chest he pulled his heart.

He held it up to ponder it.
Pink with life. Clogged with fear.
Then with his teeth he took a bite.

A taste so sweet he wanted more.
Succulent. Drink it down.
Do not share it with anyone.

He ate his fill of tender heart.
No more there. Heart all gone.
Into the hole he put his hand.

His skin grew scales in self defense.
Empty place. Heart once was.
No one must come or they will pay.

The years slip by but no one knows.
Underneath. Darkness feeds.
A wounded chest reveals no pain.