Spite

He hides omnisciently in the shadows,

mischevious eyes shifting, glowing, boring

a hole straight into your heart.

He's never been correctly described

though many have tried.

not a fairy, pixie, gremlin or demon

but Cupid's counterpart, Mab's minion, a winged imp

with a bristly snout and coriaceous wings.

He scuttles around and

no one is safe;

no armour can withstand his wicked javelin.

when He passes across your eyes

          your vision is distorted.

when He whispers in your ear

          your mind is subverted.

when He pierces your heart

          you are lost to the world

This is He!