Altered Words: Things As They Should Be

No, it’s not a new Nine Inch Nails song…it’s time for another Altered Words post!

Hello, patrons, readers and friends alike! Bet you thought I forgot about you, huh? Perish the thought! I’ve been working on the ebook that will be going out before the end of the month (yeah, not going to lie…this one’s been giving me trouble) – but I DO have a new Altered Words poem to keep you occupied.

I found this poem in The Liminal Man, the 2nd book in the Monochrome Trilogy by my good friend Todd Keisling.

In case you haven’t heard of Todd yet, be sure to check out his Ugly Little Things – a series of creepy, crass and often skin-curdling tales. They give you a good does of his warped style and are sure to be a gateway for any horror lover into Todd’s longer works.

CHALLENGE ALERT!
Later this week, I’ll be issuing a challenge for everyone who wants to try their hand at Altered Words, with details on how you can grab a copy of one of my ebook!

For now, I give you Things As They Should Be…

Note: As I was working on this poem, I was listening to Corvus Mysterium by Lustmord – it makes a nice little soundtrack if you want to use as as mood music by which to read.

THINGS AS THEY SHOULD BE

From The Liminal Man – page 120

A monstrous sea of eyes and teeth,
with glee, pursued their prey.
A shrill laugh echoed,
began to weaken,
but a few moments later, he was alone.
A gaping emptiness, a black hole pulling at his insides,
a memory of humanity,
of its many tethers,
that banal coil.
The gray manifested within his being;
through the infinite murk
the Monochrome’s lifeless abyss,
he could see things as they should be.
The riddle of flesh and mediocrity festering beneath their skin,
their strings his to pull now.

What do you think of Things As They Should Be? If you’ve read The Liminal Man, does it give readers a good snapshot of the larger story? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

Original text of The Liminal Man © Todd Keisling