The edge of Nine

Close to heaven though not perfect ‘til the edge of nine
Come ten and then eleven they were very different times
For the child he yearned to be alone, second place at least
And not be forced into a hole to hide there from the beast

The beast he’d come with fire breath and stormy changing eyes
Until the doorstep house he’d left equipped with his disguise
What lessons had the beast been taught as it had grown from seed
Take what you can and reap revenge to satisfy your need

You shan’t feel pain as you dish out but darkness will consume-
-the light in you shall be eclipsed and dwarfed by each full moon
What now of you, you dwell alone and howl your lonesome song
You can’t repair the damage done nor see right from wrong

The echoes of the good in you confined to solitary
Like inmates of a broken zoo left alone to perish
Emaciated, left for dust afraid you’ve lost the key
Redemption is a long old road not just for you but me…