The Devil's Bargain

I made a deal with the devil in exchange for a car,

drove it, flaunted its engine, spat mud at passersby,

yet had nowhere to park when the night grew cold.

I made a deal with the devil in exchange for a house

a couch, a bedroom, and rooms enough to spare.

Sometimes I would send out my voice through each room

and it would return to me

unheard.

I made a deal with the devil in exchange for a voice that's not mine

one that'll reach out to me

and call out when I wrap myself in my blankets.

It calls, sometimes it sings

and I answer

sometimes.

I made a deal with the devil in exchange for more voices.

This time, it gave me a sea of faces

faces I couldn't see because I was asleep.

I was cold, dressed in my blazers, polished shoes and a tie to keep me warm.

Wooden walls stood guard around me.

Even the termites couldn't bite me awake.

The faces called and sang my name outside my room

and waited for me to wake.

The ground grew wet and salty

until they had no more songs and names left in their tongues

so they left

to find another name to sing for.