The voice of Emilien

(A lone voice whispers)

I once met the King of all Darkness 

In France 

As we played poker for my soul 

In a burnt out house

While Edith Piaf sang 

La vie en rose 

On a tattered radio

With no power

He carried in his pocket 

Causing the watching fireflies to dance

I remember asking the Tall Man where he'd been

He said

Paris

To cause the Germans and the Resistance some pain

And as we played in that falling smoke-filled rain

I cheated and won

The prize 

Reaching out through someone after my time has run

After my sunrise was over

Summoned by the setting Sun

In darkness 

To see if the world still cries 

Like it did before me

In 44

So I send this

For we played

Again 

Late last night 

Old Nick and me

And He won

The prize 

Taking me where

The sun don't shine

To be endlessly chastised

So this is my last message

For your eyes

Before your sun rises 

Look to the East

The low drumbeats 

Of World War Three are starting to beat 

For many 

There will be pain like 

Oradour-sur-Glane 

Something so evil

You should all remember 

Who and what you do

In whoever's name

Or you could be playing poker with the Tall Man

As Edith Piaf sings

La vie en rose 

On his tattered radio

As The East and NATO

Trade nukes

Compelled to do so

By the prodding of the Tall Man and the curse 

Of the male ego

Goodbye 

(C)

Copyright John Duffy 

Image shared under fair usage policy