shrink

drag him into the woods
this scared boy
beat him
call him names
tie him to a tree
pour on the petrol
by now he is begging
crying
do it, pour it on
play with it
there is nothing in you
that can stop this now
get your lighter out
light him up
whoof
stand back
watch, listen
even you will be wide-eyed now
in this shrieking incendiary moment
how long does it take
for the screams to stop?
only a minute, probably
now you can go forward
to this better life
free of this irritant
you have felled your adversary
you have buried him
in shallow loam
you have conquered
you are free
you are the sound
of one hand clapping
in a woodland fire

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