The Devil took a trip to the world of men,

A delightful journey to satisfy his lusts.

Upon arrival,

He claimed a charming face,

And put it over his own.

He flashed each mortal a wink,

And pulled them into his arms.

“Welcome!” He cried,

As he pulled them close.

“Welcome,” he murmured,

As they fell in love.

“Welcome,” he whispered,

As he reached for their hearts.

A girl moaned with pleasure

At his practiced touch.

He threaded a needle,

And jabbed her tender heart.

Taking hold of the thread he pulled,

And she danced.

And by the time her pleasure faded,

He was lost in the crowd.

He found lonely mortals;

He tousled their hair

And tasted their lips.

His fingers were cold,

His tongue colder,

And his heart coldest of all.

He slipped needles of ivory bone

Into dozens of hearts.

He masqueraded as a lover,

Pocketing a full cast of puppets.

“Welcome,” he crooned.

“Welcome,” he taunted.

“Welcome,” he sneered.

He pulled at their strings,

Feasting on the screams.

He laughed,

As they wept,

And applauded,

As they danced.

And when the puppets bored him,

He’d yank a string too hard,

And a heart would break free of a corpse.

He’d bite down,

And laugh louder

As blood dripped from his chin.

The Devil took a trip to the world of men,

And played at being a puppeteer.

The Devil took a trip to the world of men,

And found it quite to his liking.

The Devil took a trip to the world of men,

And found a feast awaiting him.

“Welcome.”