Wretched thing.
scratching,
        nails against stone,
                the howls of one breaking;
tumbling up the long hollow
      thrashing weakly against the wood.

          My fists thrash back,
            “Die”
        [that wretched thing] screeches a reply,
languishing miserably amidst echoes. 

              drowning in shallow waters of anguish and hostility;

                         request denied.