Would You Still Love Me

Would you still love me ... perchance I was half a man? My carnal, physical core torn from me like ragged raiment, Off to war in courage and heroic sacrifice ... Returned by God and country, as barely half of what I'd been - The half that could never again join with you in passion ... Would you still love me? Imagine I was a monster ... Deformed by happenstance or accident, Still a man in the technical sense, But with face and sinews that repulsed even himself, Though the heart and spirit you adore still thrummed inside ... Would you still love me? What if the day came - a reality as viable as any, When I lost everything of earthly value and worth - All possessions, comforts, conveniences, and financial securities - gone, The talents and abilities and experience to support even myself, Blown to the four winds by careless fate or folly ... Would you still love me? Consider if I were human, inside-out ... The abyssal and dark, troubled corners of my being Worn on hapless bones like sodden skin, The fearful ids and psyches, thus laid bare by illness or substance - Free to dance like a demon for the porcelain moon ... Would you still love me? And pray, what if I were YOU ... And you were the reflection of all that your dreams dare weave, The horror and ecstasy that awakens you in the night - Shivers and turns to ice on your faultless, barren skin, Choking the screams from your chest ... Would you ... could you still love me?? ~ 10th Place ~ in the "2019 Poetry Marathon Mile 25" Poetry Contest, Mark Toney, Judge & Sponsor. ~ 1st Place ~ in the "Would You Still Love Me?" Poetry Contest, Edward Ibeh, Judge & Sponsor.