The Devil Came for Tea

Hello, Old Friend

The devil came for tea
Sat down and silently sipped
The room was warm, familiar
Oddly quiet when a hand slipped

Hot water running
Down the side of an oak end table
The devil kept on sipping
Eyes down, legs crossed, hand stable

Watching
Listening
How will this play out?
Wonder
Amusement
Shame, shout?

Sounds of waves crashing
As each drop hit the floor
Steady stream of deep amber
Deafening drops broken by the sound of a creaking door

Hello, old friend
The devils eyes darted up
A smirk crossing glistening lips
Beautiful, innocent, benevolent, corrupt

The shuffling of boots
Heavy and slow thuds grace the grain
Hardwood floor glistening with tea
And the stepping of a presence on new terrain

The old friend sat down
Nobody said a word
There was no need
Unspoken penance incurred

It’s not about the tea
Or the mess, or the cup
The welcomed old friend
Is where to interrupt

Welcoming error
Slips and mistakes
Opening the door to the past
Something worthy of forsakes

We can sit with the devil
Warm herbs in a cup are simply tea
What timeline we invite in
Is up to us to foresee