The Birth of a Beast (Based on Susan Kay’s Phantom)
by Jen
Gasping, panting, dripping with sweat
I pushed once more at the command of nurse Simonette
“Just the head now, almost there
Do exactly what I say this must be done
With great care!”
I did as she bid
Crossed myself and hoped it wasn’t dead
Gave one last push, then the pain ceased
But instead of hearing my baby crying
I heard the nurse sighing,
“Go fetch the priest
This one has the face of the dead!”
When the priest arrived, he came alone
Apparently the servant girl had absconded
I knew the priest had seen many terrible things
Yet when he looked into the cradle, added to my pain
He recoiled with shock
How would we be able to let this one run amok!
I was going to name my son, Charles
After my late husband, but now that was absurd
I begged the priest
To baptize him with his own name
For the love of Christ
The priest looked at me with a questioning stare
Probably wondering what amount of sanity was left there
But did as I said
Then laid my son next to me on my bed
“Learn to love him as god does.”
Collecting his lantern and cloak
Gave me one last look
Then left, leaving me with my son
Oh Lord! What have I done?
What horrible sin did I commit?
What do you want me to admit?
That one time when he kicked me with such violence
I called him a little beast for his defiance
Mademoiselle Perrault said I must be careful
But I said nonsense
You wouldn’t be listening to the faithful
Don’t you think I’ve suffered enough?
The death of my husband and parents,
Now this is too much!
I remembered how once Charles had held my wedding ring
Over my swollen abdomen on a cotton string
Declared that it would be a baby boy
That would give us much joy
Oh! How I long for that dream to come true
Replace this monster that has come out of the blue!
During this time, not once has he cried
Maybe he has died
However when I looked down
I gave a worried frown
For the bundle had taken a deep breath
Let out a seducing wail that pierced my chest
With an intense longing to hold him to my breast
But once his wails ceased
My longing turned into hate
For this horrid thing seemed to be my fate
Dashing him aside
I ran and hid
Into the deepest, darkest corner in the house
And wept for the monster that had come from me and my spouse.
I don’t know for how long I stayed there
But presently, I became aware that he hadn’t made the slightest sound
Maybe he had gone to the place where he was bound
Surely God wouldn’t allow such a creature on his Earth!
But to my dismay, when I approached
His eyes pierced my soul, longingly
I found a cloth, placed it on his face, and found that I could pick
him up
I placed him in the crib, warmed a bottle of milk
Then sat down and fashioned
The first garment he would have to wear
A mask.
His Terrible Childhood
As the days wore on
Erik grew older
At first, I resigned myself
To leaving him in his cradle,
Only coming near to give him a bottle
Or change his diaper
Never did I actually pick him up
To comfort his cries
But I did let Sasha into the room
Which seemed to suit them both
I really don’t know if I could have kept
My sanity without the help of my best friend
Who constantly argued with me whilst he slept
That the child was a genius, not a dunce like I hoped
I scorned her, what proof did she have?
But one day, whilst I was baking several cakes
For no particular reason other than not to have
Any time to pay attention to Erik
But Marie insisted on showing me something
Not taking no for an answer,
She grabbed my arm and dragged me to his room
“Now listen”
I listened to the plaintive bells tinkling
Over which Marie had placed a string
So that he might amuse himself.
“What is so special about him making the bells play?
Any child who can move can do that!”
“You ignorant fool! Listen carefully! Come off it!
You’re not even trying”
Resignedly, I tried my best
To hear what she wanted
In such great earnest.
Presently, I began to hear a melody
Being played over and over again.
Transfixed, I listened with awe
As that melody smoothly
Transitioned into another.
“You see? You can’t ignore the fact
That just because he has a hideous face
Will mean that he will be stupid.”
Muttering about my cakes burning,
I turned my flushing cheeks
Stinging with the harsh
Reality of her statement.
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