A beast

A beauty

A hideous monster

Cold hearted and sharp

Harsh words ringing through hallowed hall

It was once a home

And there was once a king

Granite and marbles banisters

Slowly fade through the movements of time

Crumbling like rose petals upon their crystal dish

But a rose is just a precious alarm clock

 of quiet, withering ticks. 

Candles move

Flickering on the walls

Moving through shadows as if human.

They are human

To you.

Were you sent to save

Or protect?

You're common 

Strange but special

Odd but kind 

Walking through old halls

Running your fingers through stained and torn material 

It could've been a dress once.

Cabinets speak 

But only through whispers of history.

Teapots sing

At least, they used to. 

Pattering through forbidden territory 

Feeling the heat of a deep breath on your back

When nothing is there. 

He is after you.

Chasing you through the halls

dashing to get away.

‘You didn't know’.

The words play over like a scratchy symphony on a broken record.

Youre falling

Waiting for a mountain of fur

The beast

To come smashing through your curiosity.

But when no one arrives 

Then you look in the mirror

And realize 

The beast is you

And the beauty

Was never there.