((for poetry workshop))

Dancing with Demons

"You'll see, " a gentle voice exhales.
Bewildered, she turns to see-
nothing but the wind, 
A zephyr chasing leaves on trees.
"Focus," the numbers taunt. She obeys. 
"Harder, faster, lighter,"
The monster's command resonates.
The gentle whisper returns, "You're okay. Slow down," 
She abides and the numbers
decrease velocity with her. 
The monster shrieks in protest.
"Keep going. Do you want to be ugly forever?"
Tears. The girl stops- 
trembling, sobbing.
"Come to me, child," the monster dictates. 
100...95...90... every night lower. 
She collapses, too far. 
Lost-nothing but skin and bones left.
Again, the breeze addresses her.
"Trust me. You're stronger than that,"
But the monster gets the
final say-
"Stay with me. Don't you want to be
beautiful?" 
Nodding, she begins once more. 
harder          faster          lighter