Creature’s Soliloquy

By Ronald Koertge

Last night I dreamed someone slept beside me
smelling like turnips and smoke.

Victor, as you paid the grave robbers did you know
that the heart they stole was liable to break?

I see the villagers brandishing clubs and torches.
I hear them shouting, “Frankenstein! Frankenstein!”

It’s you they’re after, Victor. Packing all their imperfections
into something like me.