and everyone says things like my kids,

my family, myself, god, my career

so it seems rather silly this question.

wait a minutes,

for those answers really touch skin,

when things go bad, when skin cracks,

bleeds – kids, you, me, family, god, career

get the devil’s touch: a kiss and a sign,

the stain of cain, a curse, a brush of something wicked

what now?

sounds simple enough, get rid of the stain, remove

the devil’s kiss – they’re not quite higher powers

without reason.

a kiss, a stain develops roots,

burrows into the heart, drinks, eats, be merry

when so much nourishment can be found.

the devil does not come with fire,

it comes with temptation, and temptation as you know,

doesn’t feel painful. not at first.

it’s always two for you, one for me,

four for you, half for me,

all sounds good for you.

then the tables turn, you don’t see it coming,

for fate already knows everything about you,

prediction without error.

or it could be painful, you never know,

reverse psychology perhaps, whatever fits your profile

till the ice cracks, the skin bleeds, the spiteful

spirit hisses. time to pay.

and a priceless pearl was simply bought

from a tavern owned by the devil,

the kiss is now a caress.

so what now?

who you fight for seems a lot more ambiguous

when the paintbrush of creation dabs another yellow,

red, purple.

roots go into heart,

the temple of spirits – reaching

to be heard.

and it’s always been your choice.