The Devil's Maid

The Devil's Maid

The fragrant roses dare not dwell
around the fetid portal of hell
nor do gently and brightly twine
the scarlet leaves of columbine.

Gone is the beauty time betrayed
that once adorned the Devil's maid.
Dim is the fire that she has banked
deep in love's kiln, now cold and dank.

No crystal drops bedeck her eyes,
wrinkled flesh now line her thighs.
Tis the last cold hour of life's day,
or if you listen, so she will say.

The Devil's maid has lost her trust
and dotes on wear and age and rust.
Her thoughts are neither clean nor clear,
her image blurs in the Devil's mirror.

Instead of tresses, fine and gold,
she combs his poison through her soul.
Youth is beauty, the Devil said,
when it flees, ash shall crown your head.

And so his silken words she heeds
and dons a garland of his weeds
and sits her down to mourn and pine
for the blessed days of the columbine.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Krutsinger Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 11:20 AM
Deep. Profound. Dark. Just the right amount of lovely, Echo. Well built.
Krutsinger Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 11:18 AM
I am a tree hugger, Tameko, so this resonated with my soul.
Krutsinger Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 11:08 AM
Jay, I can relate to this amazingly well. I tell people, look on the site and read my stuff if you need a piece of me today.
Krutsinger Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 10:55 AM
This style is so completely different, mystically magic and it helps me to see that risks are good. Thank you, Regina. you have created a masterpiece here.
Krutsinger Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 10:36 AM
I think this is beautifully written. Well done, Oluwaseye!
Krutsinger Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 10:33 AM
AW!
Krutsinger Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 10:30 AM
This poem is wonderful; the metric rhyming of it is infallibly terrific! Thank you for sharing this, Charles.
Krutsinger Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 10:25 AM
Wise woman, wise words, wise poem.
Krutsinger Avatar
April 2, 2018 at 10:17 AM
I wish that every person in the whole world who has ever felt depression - which means practically everyone- can get a copy of this and read it, realizing the strength it took to write this. Kudos, Echo. WOW!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace