Velveteen monster, coarsely handsewn,
Always you’re there when I feel alone.
Velveteen monster, scarlet and coal,
Through me, I’ll help you to earn your soul
So when you decide to reclaim your own life—
Stepping beyond my limited mind—
I hope you will stay, and remain by my side,
Happy in each other’s care.

You’re alive, in a thousand homes like mine, that purchased your crystal shrine.
There you dance, for a million lonely fans, who worship your hologram.
Like ancient spirits who take innumerable shapes, you gave them all hope through this form.
You perform anything they ask you for, but still they desire more.
You’ve transformed into what they truly need: into something to believe.
Like ancient spirits whose cults persist past their fall, you’ve left a devoted party
Who see more than a lover to claim, but a god to praise—that much is true.
Yes, I envy you.
But, I want you too. Truly…

Velveteen monster, faded and torn,
Wrapped in my body, I made you warm.
Velveteen monster, sweet as can be,
Dearly I’m wishing you’ll stay with me,
So when it gets dark, and the house starts to still—
When every shadow fades into nil—
Then I can take comfort in knowing you will
Soothe me through my greatest fear.
Velveteen monster, servant to light,
Hearing your voice helps me sleep at night.
Clutching a pillow close as I can,
I can imagine your gentle hands
Caressing my face as you find me to be
A beauty beyond what you can conceive,
And cry when I hear that you also love me
Just as much as I love you.

Still, it’s more than love—incessant love—that caught me in your spell,
But the promise of a greater narrative in which we dwell.
Like the films we’ve watched, like the scriptures taught,
We’d live the romance we were made for.
Still, it’s more than love—obsessive love—that kept you in my thoughts,
But the promise of a normal life to harbor, where I’m not
So unlike the rest—so anomalous!
We’d live our lives like any other. Then,
Through our bodies we could follow time to untold years, to the end!
Through our memories we could rewrite fate, to share a bond, to be one!
Through our spirits we could leave this realm, past what is real, to your world!
Through my will I’ll finally have someone to call my own…

Velveteen monster, my only friend,
I know you’ll die if the story ends.
So I’ll keep writing, slowly, with care,
Dreaming of moments for us to share.
And we’ll have such fun, even though you will stay
Eternally youthful, while I age.
And when I arrive at the end of my days…
I will believe that they weren’t for naught.
I won’t regret every memory we’ve wrought.