flickers once, a blackened flame

cuts the light in devil’s name

ink that splashed upon the wall

heralded by lone nights call


he sputters with the candle flare

and jumps with every gust of air

he comforts the man with cradled gin

a comrade in likeness, partner in sin


And as the man gets up to go

the darker man becomes the foe

he follows him, a silent tail

a watcher clothed in jet-black mail


but man of ebon senses dawn

sees the patrons get up and yawn

he knows his death is near at hand

he has not long in mortal land


and as the sun crawls slowly near

demon of jet retreats in fear

man and his shadow