The Demiurge's Laugh

It was far in the sameness of the wood;
     I was running with joy on the Demon’s trail,
Though I knew what I hunted was no true god.
     It was just as the light was beginning to fail
That I suddenly heard—all I needed to hear:
It has lasted me many and many a year.

The sound was behind me instead of before,
     A sleepy sound, but mocking half,
As of one who utterly couldn’t care.
     The Demon arose from his wallow to laugh,
Brushing the dirt from his eye as he went;
And well I knew what the Demon meant.

I shall not forget how his laugh rang out.
     I felt as a fool to have been so caught,
And checked my steps to make pretence
     It was something among the leaves I sought
(Though doubtful whether he stayed to see).
Thereafter I sat me against a tree.

The poem follows an unnamed character whom gallivanted into the wildness while disoriented. There, he hears constant sounds until a malicious deity emerged. Demiurge, the embodiment of the devil, began profusely laughing at him.^[1] Even after the vision ended, the main character could still experience the devil's laughs ringing. Soon after, he checked his surroundings and sat down next to a tree, ending the story with him believing himself to be a fool for being caught.^[3]

The poem using the poetic elements of themes, symbolism and imagery.^[4]