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The Devil knows my name (Lethonomia)
by Richard PaezThe Devil knows my name
Speaks a wooden drum
Arthritic knuckles striking
A hollow knock
A heartbeat, a metronome
Cuts another moment
Into skin
I know the Devils face
Beautiful, disinterested,
Laughing out of turn
Frozen, a wooden mask
I take turns wearing
And being worn
These visions flood my mind:
Through the eyes of the Devil-mask:
My hands, blood-covered
Anothers scabs forming
On my the hair between my knuckles
Looking up I am mirrored, sitting
Naked, carving you carefully
From a branch of redwood
My swollen fingerprints, sandpaper
Smoothing your perfect skin,
Absorbing your perfect scent
The sanguine luster
Of your soft, translucent lacquer
I would drink you,
Luminescence, if I could
Carry you inside me, like blood,
Your water, your iron
Your voice in my mouth,
Strange as angels,
Laughing at the Devil
He forgets, is forgotten
From my eyes, your reflection
Your lips, my breath
A hollow knock,
An echo
Call:
Lethonomia,
Remember my name 11/17/2005 Posted on 11/17/2005
Copyright © 2025 Richard Paez
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Jim Benz on 11/18/05 at 12:47 AM I'd like the devil to forget my name, but this is a wonderful, haunting poem - so much like a delirious dream. |
| Posted by Sarah Graves on 11/19/05 at 09:19 PM You bring this character right to the surface for the reader to partake of, and explore fear and consequence. Well written, and chilling to engage in such subject matter. +fav :) |
| Posted by Scott Cadence on 11/19/05 at 11:27 PM "I would drink you,
Luminescence, if I could
Carry you inside me, like blood,
Your water, your iron
Your voice in my mouth,
Strange as angels."
- amazing. |
| Posted by A. Paige White on 12/22/06 at 04:26 AM Yeah, he knows my name too. In two languages, at least. I wouldn't look at him though. Somebody rescued me. |
| Posted by Ryan Nardi on 05/27/08 at 07:14 PM I love "take turns wearing and being worn"... it harmonizes with some philosophy I've been getting into. As separate tidbits and sections, as well as a coherent fluid piece, this really works. Great timeless quality, too. |
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