The nature of the beast

specter image or dream
or self
or all at once

this bogey-man this possessor
of inside information
is governed by a secret nature

whenever coherent sentiment
changes course whenever
I am overcome by fear

the mother wit of meaning
explains this hairy brute
goes anywhere he wants to

so now another a sort of
comparable but separate soul
from time to time

links up with me
to multiply my fears
and make me his