When does a man become a monster? Is it when he kills or fights for others Or is it when the motives change When he becomes selfish When it’s all about him And Vengeance is the game When blood runs cold instead of hot When does a man become a monster?

I am just a man so I had to throw a baby of a tower I had to sacrifice my crew to the gods I had to sleep with goddess When it wasn’t my choice I had to do everything in pain To get back home to my son and wife I am just a man I am a warrior of the mind Or Thats what they say Cause I helped in the war

I am just a man I will sacrifice my crew To get home Kill all the way It’s going to be dangerous But I haft to get home So I am going to put Everything on the line I am not ok I saw people died I started with 600 men And when they were turned into pigs I did something I am not proud of Just to turn them back But when I got home My crew was gone I killed them

I am just a man but When does a man Throw a baby off a tower And feel no shame When will I not be haunted by mistakes Of everyone I met they did something But they feel they were right When does a knife to an eye Feels right When does killing innocents Feel amazing When does killing a god Feel fine When does greeting the world With open arms Lead to trouble When does a man embrace ruthlessness When does a man become a monster

. . .

Who here has heard of Epic?

Another day, Another life, I would say To myself As I grabbed my knife.

The people I kill, They’re human trash, If you will.

In a way, I guess you could say I’m doing the world a favor.

Taking out the trash On a grand scale.

But after all I’ve done, One question plagues my mind, The answer to which I seek to find.

The question is… When does a man become a monster?

When does a man become a monster?

I was told to look out for the men that prowled through the streets at night, snatching young children from their beds. I was told they would be disfigured, easily distinguishable from you and I. They would growl and snarl and hiss, too inhumane to communicate.

Lately I have been feeling something wrong, something Other, inside of me. I am still me, I walk and talk the same, say hello to my neighbours and make polite small talk with the cashier at the grocery store. But something isn't right and I fear I am to lose myself if nothing is done. Is this how it begins? Was every man an average Joe like you or I, before something took hold deep within?

So I ask you, When does a man become a monster?

You seemed to find a sick satisfaction in crossing lines. You loved sprinting past them. You loved making me draw new ones. For the purpose of ignoring them.

You also loved manipulation. Loved keeping me as your pet, As the kitten you found in a wet cardboard box. You kept me even as you found the pure-bred dogs.

You ran past the lines I so carefully drew, Every single time. Every day you somehow managed to make me stay. When I knew I hated it.

But yet, nobody called you out. Not one of your many exes. Not your parents. None of your friends.

You left me wondering, When does a man become a monster?

They say that everyone’s good inside But is that really true

I look at the mirror and ask myself Have I done anything wrong?

I try to think But my inner voice screams no

I can’t let it go When does a man become a monster?

“Man or monster?” Read the sign in huge blocky letters, All of the lights in my brain rang to walk away, But I knew I had to see the grotesque scene, I sat in the circle-shaped tent alone waiting while my leg bobbed up and down in anticipation, My mind began to wonder what he would act like, would he diminish himself solely for this show? Was he always acting in this manner? “INTRODUCING!!!!!! THE ONE!!!! THE ONLY!!!!!!! MAN OR MONSTER!!!! IS HE A MAN??? IS HE AN ABOMINATION???” My mind comes back after hearing those words, I was ready to see him. Out came a cylindrical cage covered in a wine-colored cover- the cage didn't appear to be shaking, And the silence coming from up there kept me mute Finally The ringmaster removes the wine cover to reveal a shriveled human, Its bones peaked under its transparent skin littered with veins, Its mouth is the color of dried blood and its body is hunched in an unhuman scene Its overgrown hair covered its downwards-faced complexion The ringmaster snaps for him to look up to the crowd The glimmer of astonishment in my eyes changed to disgust as I recognized his eyes as my own, I look down in shame at the twisted, emaciated mirror image in front of me, When does a man become a monster?

TW////// self harm

Hey, younger me What have you done? You grew up so fast You shone like the sun

Hey, younger me Where did you go? You never came back From the first fall of snow

Hey, younger me Please come back soon I miss our old days Nights lit by the moon

Hey, younger me You’d hate what I’ve become I’m sorry- I’m sorry- Do you see our blood run?

Hey, younger me Im scared without you The skies have turned black And my head’s feeling blue

Hey, younger me Quit going away I need you right now I need you to stay

Hey, younger me I don’t know what to do I’m so broken and lost Did I bury you?

Hey, younger me I cut open my wrist What’s wrong with me? Why did I feel bliss?

Hey, younger me Look at all of my scars We’ve gone from bright to dull ‘Cause your eyes used to be stars

Hey, younger me When did my best friend- Become nails-blade-rock I want this to end

Hey, younger me? See my long-sleeves red stained? Should I give up on trying? I’ll forever be pained

Hey, younger me Where is your glow? The spark in my eyes Disappeared long ago

Hey, younger me Riddle me this My skin is no paper So why is it slit?

Hey, younger me We’ve got so much to conquer Is it really that bad? When does man become monster?

The floor falls toward me I try to block the fall But I fail My head hits the table.

I try to stand up My legs fall away. He laughs, I hear a scream.

My close cropped hair, Scar freckled body, Overgrown muscles, Various tattoos

I match him. He also has scars And muscles And tattoos

The difference is, It’s his foot And my ribs It’s not his pain.

The problem is, I don’t know, Yet I ask a thousand times When, when, when, When does a man Become a monster

When does a man become a monster? A man that hurts you with his words With his hands Roams free A man your afraid of A man that cheats Is still human A man that leaves bruises A man that makes you feel your worst Moves on like normal He is not a monster to everybody So when does a man become a monster?