Sympathy For The Devil

(Pianist: Liz Magnes)

Even you, Prince, are sometimes blind,
living so deep in darkness as you do -
sure that evil is easy as egotism,
that some one like me would savor
your sort of loneliness, relishing
those seductive days, nights in empty beds.
What can I say? Yours is such a masculine way -
and when we met that night at the crossroads
I walked a piece with you, watching the twisting
of your walking stick, wishing I could soothe
all the writhings in your world. I thought
to cradle you, like an agonized disciple,
in my bountiful lap - didn't even hear
all the offers you made of wisdom
in exchange for my soul.
Even when you flashed the contract,
secure in my signature, I wasn't paying
attention, bedeviled by that pain
in your eyes, that need for something good -
dare I call it - love?


 

© Karen Alkalay-Gut