Large Fierce Mammal

The Heir to Dark Sentiments expresses his delight with the toy in hand that inspired this poem. (Mrs. LFM photo)

“He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche, Aphorism 146, Jenseits von Gut und Böse (Beyond Good and Evil) (1886)

I’m known to write of darksome things,
That spring from man and beast.
And otherworldly nightmares,
Some that breathe, and some deceased.

Each October as I stalk my prey
Through quagmires dark and drear,
My own black heart’s more visible
Than other times of year.

This doesn’t worry me because
To hunt such things as this,
One first accepts what Nietzsche said
Of facing the abyss.

But joy of joys, in darkest night,
I never walk alone,
For at my side my Fair Fierce Wife
Has made my hunt her own.

She’s given me a little Son
To join us in our quest,
And learn to keep a steady hand
When hunting Evil’s nest.

But slightly more than one, he has
Some darkness of his own.
Revealed when he couldn’t leave
Remote controls alone.

We found a toy that looked the part,
And gave it to our Son,
With coloured buttons over all,
He pressed them, every one.

The thing will speak each button pressed,
And says a phrase or two,
But our Son decided yesterday
Another thing to do.

He fetched that toy from where it lay,
Amid some plastic bricks,
Eyes gleaming as he pressed the keys,
Thus spake it –