THE BARGAIN

THE BARGAIN

The bells are ringing a sobering toll, 
a reminder of a bargain struck many years ago 
that is now quickly coming to collect on the deal…
A deal with the devil, with whom I sold my soul, 
and pledged my life, before I kissed the seal. 



The hour glass that turns o’er and o’er, 
giving me hour after hour until there are no more. 
Each grain of sand held the promise of time… 
time that was spent that he would never restore; 
Payment is due and is long past its prime. 



The watcher, tick-tocker, pace-maker, the keeper, 
rope-notcher, night-stalker, toll-taker, the reaper… 


I wanted, I needed, I bartered for them - and for me, 
confronted and pleaded, martyred for them – graciously.



Now the pendulum swings slower and I know they are grown, 
they’ve moved on, they have places to go, 
lives to live, blessings to give, and bargains to make… 
Remember this when the bells toll and he comes to collect my soul: 
The debt came due for the loving of you, a deal I would never forsake.

M TERESA CLAYTON

WHORE OF BABYLON

The room smelled of something wicked; something bled out and left to die.

She lay upon the bed like an open grave, awaiting their heavy corpses, 

that will  be alive enough to recognize their own descent into the abyss;

       that deep swollen hole...

                  that will swallow them whole.

                                                                 The screams are silenced in the darkness there.

Soon it will be my turn, 

               I can feel the life running out of me and onto the floor.

                      

      She has not summoned me to her yet, and I am growing weak with desire.

I hear my name and realize this is the way every man dies, a slow death composed of many little deaths until the heavy breathing, and  all the heaving,                                                        

 until his final breath...

And, another takes his place within, as she wipes the blood from her chin,              leaving the flesh to hang from the fangs of her Cheshire grin.

When she is full and sated with the souls of the innocent, that become the ghouls of the maleficent, and their poison fills her with such an illness that even she cannot contain their toxic remains,

      she will regurgitate their bones out, upon the floor;

            her work is finished here, and her services aren't needed anymore.

Just one more look as she turns toward the door.

The tomb of forbidden pleasures, she is...

           and everything a man does treasure, 

                                          is lost within Babylon's whore.

M Teresa Clayton

THE VIOLINS ARE PLAYING

The violins are playing, dear.

The music is saying it so clear.

But, you cannot understand it, I fear.

I simply hope that someday you can listen and hear.

The roses are blooming with fragrance, dear.

The aroma puts me into a gay trance-like sphere.

But you smell the rose and then the magic disappears.

I simply wish you chose to embrace the gift shared here.

The wind is blowing gently against my skin, dear.

The feeling I am part of what's always been, comes near.

I can hear their voices as they sing softly into my ear.

I simply want you listen closely, their songs are sincere.

I am touching you dear, and letting my fingers explore.

I desire your kisses filled with passion, nothing more.

Lips that touch, suckle, the taste of love is ours to savor.

Lips against the skin, gentle, across the jaw-line, I implore.

I can hear the music of my heart playing softly, my dear.

As your tongue traces love notes and goose-bumps appear.

You smell like a man should, musky... with a bit of austere.

I need for you to understand what your kisses should revere.

They show grace with the time you take to linger o'er me

They take all honor and love to their highest degree.

Nothing but your long passionate kisses will my heart free.

I am confident you will unlock the door, you alone possess the key.

Come now, listen to the music of our love make a beautiful sound.

Come and smell the delight of fragrant passion dancing all around.

Come dear, feel the breeze against your skin as we lie upon the ground.

Come here and let your touch explore, there is a treasure to be found.

I shall open the heavens so you can hear their symphony.

I shall call down the breezes to cool the fire between you and me.

I shall open the bloom gently, the delicate petals only your eyes can see.

I shall offer myself to you, dear, to give me your love so passionately.

 M TERESA CLAYTON

Rubied Embers