they say Robert Johnson sold his soul
to the devil, but i'm convinced the devil
sold his soul to Robert Johnson

the Memphis heat,

sweltering and
humid,

drips off him like condensation down
a bottle of beer as he waits
at the crossroads.

the devil walks
towards him from the
north.

"howdy son," the
devil says.

"howdy to you,"
Robert returns.

"i got something for you
if you got something for me,"
the devil says.

and that's how it went.

when it was over
Robert Johnson returned
able to play his guitar
like it was a woman;

alternately turning
it on and pissing
it off,
making it moan
and sigh,

groan and cry.

they say Robert Johnson sold his
soul to the devil
but i'm convinced the devil
sold his soul to
Robert Johnson.

and it was the only time
the devil lost
a bet.
 

-published in High Horse #1