I think "Nyarlathotep" or "The Antichrist" when I read this. Not literally, but as an image.
The video with The Too Dark Photo, where the center character looks like one of the "priests" from the Berserk manga certainly helps that feel.
But it is the snake-like feel. Even "greyscale," while being attached to "greyed-out days," and thus to someone's limited scope on life, of emotions, joins some of the other words used prior - rough, thrashed, withered (like slithered), dry mouth. And all I can think of is "tempter, sin."
Which then joins the image of the would-be self-styled fallen angel, or that is the image. One who wears jeans, and too slicked hair. Mirror-shades. But it is all an image, "rubble-rebel continence," and boy, "fecal pearls," as they say, pearls before swines, eh?
But who is he trying to lie to. Is it himself, or to others? For he is a fiend, a ghoul. The projection of the gallant lad, but is it not projections that become reality? And as you said, do we not project, to a degree, that which we hate?
The alliteration was a bit not alliterative earlier on (because "hearty heart" is just the same word ;-) ), but boy, did I enjoy the return to it later on. I missed that of your style.
I will say now what I noted to you before. A ghoul, apparitions, bound bangles. These poems all speak of chains or those who are chained to lives past. The undead. And the chains of memories and emotions.
OMS! I am so behind on trying to have proper responses to you -- this is going to have to be a live chat.
<3
The biggest thing is thinking of it, and see what thoughts rise. And smiling at what merits a smile. I mean, I already got the poem, right? :)
And yes, I definitely hear you. I want to keep track of 3.5-4 daily poems and give this style of comment on them, and that's quite a bit. Especially when I'm behind. Like yesterday I had to catch up on 4-5 of Alain's poems, as well as yours, and it takes a while, and energy too.
<3