See through these eyes and dig past the lies;
   peel back the masks of pain and loneliness.
If you can then stare at this beast's harsh glare
   without flinching in fear or disgust,
then you'd be the one who'd make it undone
   and unshackle my soul to be free.
But like time and again, when Fate played her hand,
   I saw redemption was not meant to be.
You've never looked, nor my yearnings would brook,
   so now I will just melt away.
The sun now grows cold, my heart feeble and old,
   thus for sweet death I do pray.
Not anymore shall this once open door
   hang waiting for salvation's touch.
The locks have been turned; my life I now spurn --
   this time was the one time too much.
So please understand, this is my only demand:
   that you not see this thing as your fault.
I am simply too weak to fight or to speak
   of these demons hiding away in their vault.
Before the darkness consumes and I'm called to my doom,
   let me see just one more glimmer of day.
Grant me of solace a swallow: Don't you dare ever follow,
   now that my monsters have come out to play.

Alexander Dale Matthews, II
9 August 2005