I feel it writhing inside me

a live thing, a deadly parasite,

a hideous bloodthirsty predator

crawling in the pit of my stomach

it whips and squirms and thrashes

when I see him smiling tenderly at her

I feel its sharp teeth gnawing my tender flesh

when he places his hand on her shoulder

when his family welcomes her, as once they did me,

the creature viciously digs in its sharp talons

when I feel them ripping and stripping away at my insides

I wince and silently walk away

I retreat to a darkened room

alone, as I shall remain forever without him

in time, I pray the monster within will grow quiet and still

if I can only deny it the food it craves