sip of heaven, bottle of hell

At first taste he
slips down easy;
subtle sweetness,
flash of flavor,
warm buttery finish.

each drop thereafter
a touch more
of the dragon.
flash of teeth,
tongue of fire.

hot flames creep
from the belly
to the cheeks;
flash of fury,
burning char.

He’s all devil now;
seven heads,
seven crowns,
a drunkard…
and my love.

author: rashael crystal
photo source: Murray Mitchell