Mark R Slaughter (1957)

Thro’ night I rode –
Charging down, chasing all
Upon a stage of gnarling trails
Lost beneath a whorl of noctilucent clouds –
As of the mode of mired minds;

I knew the disconcerting eye of
Stormy Jupiter was edging out a destiny –
On my behalf! –
A dubious path to play upon
A harried heart –
A den of inner incubi;

On upon the steed I drove,
Hounded down by vagaries –
Ahead I caught uncertainties.

A jolt!
To halt was all to do …

The apparition plain:
Mephistopheles! –
Waiting in the wings,
Green of eye,
Tempting fate:
Another way –
Could I relate? –
No more the race –
Might I embrace
A sale? –

The trading of a soul? –
What trust for His parole?