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Where the devil resides: A poem by Deepti Gupta

The palaver ended
In a cacophonous death
The sweet mirage
Of an endearing heralding 
Now a decrepit verity
The staunch avowals 
Of compassion and love
Gradually grow taciturn 
As I further slip
Into my slovenly mind
Where, in the dark recesses
The devil resides
I grapple to find my peace
But begrudgingly I accept
I lost the race
I acquiesce to the demon itself
Waiting in thunderous silence
I bow and say
“Never again”