An Ear To The Devil Poem by Julie Arnoult

A party, yes it was; a party lit gold
With champagne that sparkled in frivolous eyes,
Laughter that billowed through the joyous crowds
Of dames in lush gowns and gents in black ties.

A gaze, yes it was; a gaze so cold
That no soul had noticed in that room but I.
The silver glare was shaded under a broad black brim
Of a red-ribboned topper on his head, sitting high.

A man, yes it was; a man quite old
His silk, raven suit was polished, unstained;
And among these many guests he was a phantom, with eyes;
In which his madness was still yet barely contained.

A gun, yes it was; a gun, lo behold!
That he pulled out of his suit as he strode down my way.
He bowed down gracefully and I lent him my ear. He laughed,
'Tonight, we will triumph! With these bullets, they will pay.'

A scream, yes it was; a scream foretold
By the ringing of the barrel as the shots cracked loud
One by one, they crashed to the marble floor,
Now stained a brilliant red, under a sheer opaque cloud.

An ear, yes it was; an ear to the Devil
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the story untold.
For the Devil believed that vengeance tasted sweeter,
Sweeter than the champagne, at that party lit gold.

I am numb to the guilt, still running in my veins.
For the Devil believed that sanity was my chains.


(Written in reference to the many school/mall shootings that happened in 2007.)