REVISED OCTOBER 16, 2019 New Jersey’s cloven-hoofed devil makes his way to the jetty beneath the blanket of twinkling stars, anguish unabated his appetency growing stronger each day her song rose like mist upon salty tide creating an irresistible allure perhaps a mermaid so fair can be the auspicious boon he badly needs he calls to her, certain she will listen again as she has done so many nights before his soul’s torment she has learned to alleviate patiently, she clings to one boulder, waiting for she alone can absolve him of past misdeeds she motions for him to draw near “Kiss me now,” she begs, “Before anything more can go awry.” he moves toward her, still in atrocious devil form holding fast to the rocks as a storm approaches perhaps this time their magical kiss will forever end his loneliness October 14, 2019 For John Hamilton’s “Crazy A’s” Poetry Contest The New Jersey Historical Society provided information about the New Jersey Devil and the mermaid he is said to connect with each night by the shore.