When the Old Hag Rides

Thrice in twelve measures
succubus has defiled and mortified me
Perched on my ebony planks
I sit beside her this dawn as a gargoyle surveying that which is me

I try to look up but cannot see the demon and myself nestled on my
shoulder
Only hear what is to become of my discarded marrow for the carrion
feeders

A pact is made

Muted murderous wails for the Messiah's mercy resonate within my
head
But I have no voice in the matter

My heart thunders as if to sink me further into this abyss
Leaden limps are water logged with desperate sweat

Is this Jordan's crossing in the sunrise?

Arch angels don't sing to announce my coming
Just my own terror
I can smell my fear
I pass out within suffocated screams

I wake again to my grandmother's kitchen offerings
Warm buttery Grits
Fat succulent Bacon
Strong Black Coffee
Cornbread

The sheets now soaked and stained as I rise

I greet her as I was taught
And tell her
"The old hag rode me and this time I thought ..."

She places her pecan brown gnarled fingers over my lips and reads from
her book.

In the morning they rose early and exchanged oaths. And Isaac sent
them on their way, and they departed from him in peace. Genesis 26:31
I bathe then eat, and

As I change the linen, I know the she demon will come again in this life

And the price I will pay for my sins will tip the scales of my
Sanity
Humanity
And dignity

As it did with my father