The feathery veil is soft
In his hands,
Reminiscent of her fragile skin.
Still warm from her touch…
He clutches it to his heart,
Desperately hoping to absorb her
Through the delicate cloth.
Everything inside shatters
Like a stone through a pane of glass.
His heart gripped
By talons of steel,
Blood a flowing crimson river
Flooding his soul.
"Christine…Christine…"
Only silence answers.
He brings a trembling hand
To his face,
Letting the tears fall freely…
The child looks into the mirror
For the first time
And discovers the awful truth.
"Monster!" He screams. "Die monster, leave me forever!"
Smashing the mirror
With a tiny fist
Does not banish the pain.
The nightmare remains
And will haunt him forever.
The only gift he wants
Is two kisses from Mother,
Simple gestures of affection
He has desired since birth.
Her scream of terror echoed in his mind
As she ran away in fright.
A mask is thrown at his feet.
A mask.
His first companion.
Hiding the beast,
Concealing torment and pain,
Holding back tears,
Bottling anger and hatred
Inside his heart.
How easily the bottle overflows;
How horrifying the vengeance
Upon those who torture him.
The mask has become his protection,
An extension,
Will forever be part of him.
No one shall know
What lay beneath,
What horrors have conquered his face…
What horrors have conquered his soul…
Without fear, without terror,
Without a second thought,
Christine kissed him.
Gone was the mask,
Exposing the truth,
And regardless of his appearance
She pressed silken lips
To his skin.
In all his life,
He never understood
The heat of elation burning his blood,
Touch of a small hand upon his face,
Splash of tears from her eyes,
Look of love reflecting from her perfect face.
Tears escaped his eyes.
How had she defeated him with such a simple action?
His heart expanded,
Causing him great pain
As he finally understood love.
He loved her,
Heart body, soul, mind,
Loved her unconditionally.
The kiss,
Her promise to be his
One she was prepared to honor.
She vowed to be his living wife…
For the sake of another.
For the first time,
He truly sees the distortion within.
With a heavy heart
He released her,
Unable to bear the thought
Of her unhappiness.
In darkness,
The veil is damp with tears
As he rubs it against his face.
She had chosen him,
But he let her go.
No matter how cruel life had been,
No matter how much Mother hated him,
No matter how hideous the world believed him to be…
He would not be a monster in Christine's eyes.
Ever.
Her final gift
Was one he would cherish forever:
She had taught him love.
"Christine, I love you…"
At last true beauty has penetrated his stony exterior.
After a lifetime of abuse, neglect, fear, and hate,
He has finally triumphed over the demon within.