Foul Play

Scalding water pierced his skin;
the steam opened his pores.
Unable to purge his sins,
he knelt down on the floor.

He loathed the smell of his flesh;
the stench of foul play reeked.
Rendered speechless from the shock,
he suddenly felt weak.

Flashbacks of what he had done
would make his stomach turn.
As he clenched his rag so hard,
his hands began to burn.

What had led him to do this
grossly disturbing thing?
And would he ever confess
if forced to come clean?

He scrubbed and scrubbed until raw
as tears poured from his eyes.
He was not above the law;
he'd soon face his demise.

But the demons soon returned
and he began to laugh
as he looked across the room -
the scene of a blood bath.

Insanity was his plea -
the plea that saved his life.
But quite unfortunately,
it didn't save his wife.