Its eyes were a glistening inferno
And its tongue spoke, covered with 30 pieces of silver
The smoke choked my senses
The smoke made me see it for what it was
It deserved my goodbye
It deserved my anger
And my regret
I wish to God I gave it then
Its footsteps nearly left the door
Could this be the answer I was looking for
To make my words dance on the page
To make my heart pour into every letter
The room rang with screams
As I gave my answer
The price was too high
The price was unacceptable
“Yes”
For the page was my life
The ink my blood
The words my spirit
And here I write
In my twilight hours
Waiting to strike the bell
It would claim its prize
Only to find
Nothing
For the page is my canvas
And the ink my blood
And the letters
My soul
Each time the pen touched paper
I give a small part of myself
That I will never get back
I give it freely
To the eyes that seek
A glimpse into my being
I give it freely
To those that wish
To part the veil of life
It will never claim its prize
For you already have
-The last work of the poet “Jillian”
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Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by ‘Landas de Diablo’ in Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends. Eugenio. 2002.
The Devil (The Bargainer) Illustration by Jam Trinidad
FB: Jam-core
Watercolor by Yanna Gemora
FB: Yannami
