I first saw him

A simple boy

He knew not what

The meaning was

Of kindness

Or humility

He felt a shadow

On his back

Of jealousy

And he was known as

Beast

.

The next I saw him

A slave to Her

He knew the cold

Of loneliness

As well as snow

He felt no shadow

He felt nothing at all

But sorrow

And pain

And he was known as

Slave

.

Again I saw him

Freed at last

Yet still not free

For still

He felt the guilt

And shame of one

Who had seen his wrongs

But still had to pay

For what he did

And he was known as

Traitor

.

Once more I saw him

Truly free

From all burden

And pain

For the Great One

Had taken his shame

And made it his own

And She had won

No battle

And he was known as

Forgiven