Not a Monster: a Nightcrawler Poem

Not a Monster: A Nightcrawler Poem I could hear their voices Carrying pitchforks and torches The light guiding them through the dark Towards me, their target, their mark. They called me a monster, a freak Shouting at me throughout the streets But I was the one on the run Not the one holding a gun. They soon surrounded me Nowhere to hide, nowhere to flee I wanted to disappear But my thoughts were clouded by fear. Their weapons were raised Their torches ablaze My body went slack Then everything became black. I awoke with a start My hand over my racing heart I was in the institute, lying in my bed With so many thoughts running through my head: “I’m not a monster, I’m not a freak I am strong, and I fight for the weak I may look like a demon, a monster from Hell But down those depths are not where I dwell.” ________________________________________________________________ Date: March 4, 2023 Name of Contest: Marvel and DC Superhero or Villain Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Robert James Liguori