The Beast Within Me Poem by Jan Andrei Manzano

Only a few could recognize my anger—
A ferocious beast living within me,
Hidden behind my smiles, smiling;
Its presence is savage and horrifying,
He could bring inferno and ruin spirits;
The beast has always been awake and active,
But I learned to tame and control it;
It is not prisoned or chained,
It is free... and I let it take over me—
If someone insults, disgusts, betrays,
Or takes advantage of my innocence and kindness;
The beast is not physically violent, but
It will punish you with words, with truth, with justice;
The beast will mark afflictions on your chest,
And it will remain until the whole world hears your outcry;
Return what you have taken, and you will be forgiven,
Give me back my smile, my joy, my vibrance,
And you need not to suffer from darkness;
I love this huge and bad creature within me,
It reminds me to always protect myself,
And that no one has the right to hurt—
A joyful, kind, and innocent soul... like mine.