The Beast Poem by Mary Fumento

Stalking and snarling in darkness
Shading such a haunted, cursed face
Dwelling alone in refuse and pain
A somehow fitting and expected place
For the epitome of ugly and sinful
Only shame and repugnance surround
And the dislike, distrust, disgust
From others will certainly unbound
A deserved end for a despicable creature
Or so the observers will say
But what could they ever begin to know
Of a creature never seen once seen by day
They hear not the terrible cries
And they see not the endless tears
Of the one so tormented and betrayed
And yet they dare to judge and to fear
As if they were the ones who pay
This hideous price, this horrendous fee
Without ever realizing how it would feel
For only a moment to switch and be me

(1997)