I don’t like my monsters tame

[swear_jar]

I don’t like my monsters tame
you can put a collar on anything
if you are strong enough
and hard enough
clever and cold enough
but collars break
quicker than monsters

I don’t like my monsters tame
it means they lose the claws
the teeth and the tongues
they need to defend themselves
from everyone
but me

I don’t like my monsters tame
anyone can tame a thing
with command and fear
by not showing the beast
you too shiver
when your eyes meet
for too long

I don’t like my monsters tame

I like my monsters loyal

a loyal monster keeps its claws
and takes apart the lion-tamers
that come from behind chairs
a loyal monster eats from your hand
not because that is all there is
for it to live or die on
but because that is all it wants
and it is satisfied

I like my monsters loyal:

a bare cage and an iron collar
are not so easily carried
as the ground at your feet
which goes with you everywhere
there is always a place
for a loyal monster

a tame monster knows no loyalty

a loyal monster knows no fear