When my sweet thing said to me:
"Sorry dear, I have to leave you.
I made my own discovery,
I finally understand what love is:
Mercury!
Mercury!"
I begged, pleaded, cried and sweared.
She left: I lost my faith in words.

I’m a
Hopeful monster
Hopeful monster

She was a window that opened up
on valley, churches, swollen sun.
My sad and lovely view is gone;
she left a mirror hanging there.
I think I recognize that stare–
Who am I?
Who am I?
I think I recognize that stare.

Hopeful monster
Hopeful monster
Where do I go from here?

I’m not the strain I used to be:
I’m a mutant breed set free.
Spawned on her queen-size bed,
hatched in a roomy cage,
raised on spit, sweaty words,
creature comfort, lack of fear.
Strange feed breeds
altered beasts.
Now I’m not the strain I used to be.

Hopeful monster
Hopeful monster
Where do I go from here?