The beast in me
The unknowable, untamable, and uncontrolled part of myself that exists separate from my conscious mind.

Is caged by frail and fragile bars
Despite being locked away, the beast does not easily yield and desires control.

Restless by day
The beast within is constantly churning and seeking agency and action, even during times of calm.

And by night rants and rages at the stars
The beast's anger and frustration boils over at the immensity of the cosmos, one of the few things which it cannot attempt to dominate.

God help the beast in me
The individual realizes that they cannot restrain the beast without divine intervention.

Has had to learn to live with pain
The beast has suffered and adapted, but has not been put down entirely.

And how to shelter from the rain
The beast has come to know how to cope with adversity and find safety where it can.

And in the twinkling of an eye Might have to be restrained
At any moment, the beast could awaken and disregard human will.

Sometimes it tries to kid me That it's just a teddy bear
The individual is sometimes tempted to believe that their tumultuous inner self is cute and manageable.

And even somehow manage to vanish in the air
At other times, the beast seems to disappear entirely and remain dormant.

And that is when I must beware Of the beast in me
The individual knows that this is the most dangerous moment, when the inner self is lurking just beneath the surface.

That everybody knows They've seen him out dressed in my clothes
Others can sense the presence of the beast and may have seen it manifest at times.

Patently unclear If it's New York or New Year
The individual may be uncertain of the exact nature of their inner self, or when it might be most likely to emerge.

God help the beast in me
The plea for assistance is repeated, underscoring the desperation felt in confronting the darker side of one's own psyche.