The Haven

When the sun goes out and there’s only night, we’ll live on the earth. It’ll be ours.

In the process of helping him
Through therapy, Doctor Decker
Accused his patient of eleven sickening
Murders he had no hand in.

Disembowellings—true death
Wielded a long, sharp knife,
Worn a button-eyed masque with an open zipper snarl
That commanded his violent moves—

Attempted suicide
Tango with a truck landed him in the hospital.
There, the patient heard lunatic prattle of
A faraway place where everyone’s sins could be forgiven.

The haven
Safer haven
For the misunderstood.

He proceeded to flee from the hospital,
In search of that region of his desire—
Behind rusty iron double gates,
High stone walls crawling with moss.

Sudden attack—gnarsty bite on the shoulder
From tiny teeth of a ravenous tendril-headed beast
Gave the escaped patient—and shot-down wanted man—
A means to cheat death—his entry into

The haven
Safer haven
For the rejected.

Beneath a stony heaven with swirly painted stars,
They crawl and thrive in tunnels, hidden from
Prying eyes of the world above, refuge found
Under numerous vine-covered tombs—What’s below remains below—

The haven
Safer haven
For the misshapen.

Shape-shifters in different sizes and colours
Dread exposure, for letting the ex-patient & his lover into their world.
But he’s the one to guide them
Away from human hatred, fiery fall of

The haven
Safer haven
For those unlike us Naturals.

He swapped out his old life for new.
Humanity for monstrosity.
Aaron Boone for Cabal.
Baphomet’s chosen saviour

For the creatures Hell & Heaven didn’t want.
The un-people. The anti-tribe.
Living for evening, not the sun,
The Nightbreed of Midian.

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W: 2.25 to 3.25
[ Inspired by the novella Cabal by Clive Barker. ]