Secret Ceremony

 
“Demons are like obedient dogs; they come when they're called.”
~ Remy de Gourmont ~
 
Today, nastiness
Sat by the door,
With a leash in its mouth
As, so often, before.
 
I warned, “Leave or I’ll kill you!”
My tenor severe.
But nastiness laughed—
“From your mouth to God’s ear.”
 
“Just shrivel and die!”
I heard myself say.
“No, thanks. Better offers
Are coming my way.”
 
I growled—“With that leash,
You’re taking a chance.
Swinging by the neck
Is a miserable dance!”
 
Nastiness, smirking
Beneath its black brow,
Snarled—“If you had the balls
You’d have done it by now.”