The following was written as part of an ongoing series that attempts to capture the essence of the old Victorian Age penny dreadful style stories in the form of a poem.  In this particular instance, it is based on an even older belief that the Devil spoke or speaks in an ancient forgotten tongue.  I started writing these poems for an artistic creation on Second Life that is no longer in existence but was centered in that same Victorian Age.  At any rate, here is the poem that I just completed:

Verbis Diablo
by Michael Romani

The trick of the Devil
Is to offer false choices
Never playing on the level
In his multiple voices

Mischief is best done
When the chances are 
Almost next to none
That blame will fix on the fallen star

The Devil's tongue
Tantalizes the young
Until it's too late to regret
Or, ever hope to forget

Targeted in sincerity
Lacking in true clarity
Dreamed until the storms pass
And a false peace comes to us at last

Dressed in a pressed shirt
Begging to disallow being hurt
Secrets shared in the night
In hopes to hide from Heaven's sight

Tainted pennies so dreadful
Are left on a dead man's eyes
Protected by wolves so awful
Even the ferryman cries

Crossing the Stygian River
Hoping for redemption from the forgiver
To speak in the Devil's tongue
While the hell-spawn feeds on the young

(c) June 5, 2017  Michael Romani
All Rights Reserved