I am the becoming
Flitting from twilight to shadow
From shadow to beyond
Water and glass no longer hold my form
There was blood on my pillow last night
It was not mine
You have wounds on your neck this morning
Some of the village girls are wearing scarves.

I am the becoming
Hollow eyed strangers consider me friend
I do not know them
Have they stolen my amulet ?
Desire for food is waning
But I constant thirst
I can see through your skin
You are even more beautiful in moonlight.

I am the becoming
Sense of smell is increasing
I want to taste your sex
I have seen you stroking orchids in the Garden of Fools
Your crucifix is interesting
But will not protect your breasts
The Gardener went missing today
I have forgotten his name.

I am the becoming
Your pulse quickens in the darkness
My invisibility is a curse
Sunlight is a problem
You do not recognise me
I left a rose on your pillow last night
More girls in the village are wearing scarves
My thirst is greater than before.

I am the becoming
I have locked away the silver
and taken to sleeping in the attic
The view to your bedroom is so much better up here
You whisper your prayers
In vain, I think
Your neck wounds are not healing
I feel no pain.

I am the becoming
My reality is fluid
Are we still lovers consuming each other
To the sound of beating wings
You no longer walk in the Garden of Fools
to caress the wild orchids
I am having trouble with gravity
and sleeping.

I am the becoming
You did not leave your bed today
Doctor Arnbert thinks you have anaemia
He is worried about your neck wounds
My hearing is sharper
but my eyesight is fading
I will come to visit tonight
The smell of garlic makes me sneeze.

I am the becoming
There was another funeral in the village today
and I cannot stop sneezing
Your breathing is very shallow
Doctor Arnbert has nailed your shutters tight
I am starting to feel pain
and miss you already
I need to sleep a while.

I am the becoming
Your lips are sealed
Our love will be unspoken
I put a rose on your grave today
The village girls have started dancing again
I need more sleep
I need to be with you again
and understand what I have become

Charles Antony