• About
  • Blog
  • Published Work

Lydia Erickson

Lydia Erickson

Tag Archives: despair

The Devil’s Watchword

27 Saturday Dec 2014

Posted by Lydia Erickson in Poems in Progress

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

despair, poems, poetry, writing

The devil recalls despair
the unforgivable sin
and chuckles. If there is
violence in his violet eyes,
it is hidden in the smoke
of his shrieking cigar.

His companion laughs, clinking cups
(paying, as usual, if I know the old man)
and if he sees despair in those eyes
eyes that shone so brightly in the world’s making
the keenest eyes, to see so far
–too far, he reminds himself, and much too keenly–
eyes which wanted once only to reflect heaven
but turned
and here, he turns away.
It is then, generally
that the devil lets him buy
the first round.

They wage war
in little mercies,
in exacting calculations
of tip and tax and always
always despair is the devil’s watchword.
Who would ask for forgiveness,
knowing that to withhold it
is to hold poison in one’s mouth and wait
for permission to spit?

The devil always
always buys
the second round.

The Grey Lady

18 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by Lydia Erickson in Poetry

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

depression, despair, poems, poetry, writing

Beware that woman who comes in the calm,
whose venomous peace would be your balm:
her footsteps soft as spider’s kisses,
her voice like whispers of lost wishes.
 
Beware the mirror of her grey eyes,
that suck the soul away sigh by sigh;
beware the softness of her grey cloak,
when wrapped within no traveler woke.
 
Beware that invisible spider,
who wraps her web still ever wider;
who steals your joy along with your pain,
who leaves you living ‘though already slain.

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • November 2020
  • June 2020
  • November 2019
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • January 2018
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • May 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014

Categories

  • Blog
  • Fear
  • Poems in Progress
  • Poetry
  • Stories in Progress
  • Uncategorized
  • Writing

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy