Pledge Poem by Herbert Nehrlich

Would I fly through foreign sky
if I were a bird.
Visit you, my Lorelei
bring a secret word?

At the peaceful river's edge
showing my reflection,
it is here I make my pledge
for a new direction.

Devil came and promised me
wings to fly away,
he can end my misery,
later I must pay.

Pipers must be paid, he said
nothing free is given.
I agreed and soon was wed,
lovesick, mad and driven.

Late it was, I doused the light
and reached for my new wife,
the Devil rested, like a blight,
on top, now mine for life.