rose petals upon piano keys
crimson sliding from ivory
dripping onto the floor
a stain that symbolizes
something permanent
that has become something
much more temporary
transient mortality
the death of more than desire

she trusted me once
sat beside me as mozart played upon
the keys beneath my fingertips
her body swaying to and fro
as though wrapped up in whimsy
i permitted myself a grin
because the angels never sense
the demons in their presence
never want to believe somebody
could be so cruel to them

what do they say?
better the devil you know.
she thought she knew me.
it only took a drop of wine
between her crimson lips
for her to smile a wicked smile
and become lost within the
melody of death's sonata
placed a hand upon my shoulder
and as she leaned in closely
i smelled her sweet perfume

parting from the music
to touch her long, brown hair
yes, she trusted me
and i, in turn, cared for her
however demons only know how
to destroy everything they touch
the tender kisses
placed upon her smooth skin
became rougher as two sides lobbied
for control over the man

did he love her or wish
to crush her
as he did everything else
was it the human who wished to taste her
or the devil sating his selfish whims
her lips parted in a tender moan
yes, she trusted me once
and, in turn, the predator smiled
and took hold of the reins
forgotten piano music
to a forgotten melody
that had once been the soundtrack
to their dance with one another

instead, the rose traced a path
across her satin flesh
before the sharp points
of porcelain daggers
embedded deep within her soul
the master she once trusted
became the demon depleting her
the soulless bastard i once was
replacing the saint i tried to be
did not rest until her humanity
became nothing more than the smoke
from a dying ember

i took from her and watched
the gothic princess i adored
close her eyes in death's repose.
smiled the devil's smile
as i licked my lips again.
and as i gazed upon the piano's keys,
i saw her hand placed upon the next chord
the next set of notes we'd been destined
to play together
crimson slipped out from her body
and coated the piano keys instead.

yes, she trusted me once.
she laid down her life for me.
and i merely took from her
before casting her away.
and as she slipped into decadence with me
i placed my hands upon the keys
and played the chorus of the cursed
the corner of my mouth
turned upward in a pleasant smile
better the devil you know, perhaps
but it would have been better
had she never known the devil at all.