The Devil held a mirror to the angel of me,
breathing a fire that only I could see.
It was an anemic gathering, a denial of wrongs,
weapons soon arrived in words and songs.
With truth, compassion, brevity and wit;
I began to make the Devil, completely lose his shit.
“Observe the blemishes that mark where you have failed.
Renounce your dreams, for that ship has sailed!”
The Devil continued on with endless chatter,
resigning at last, to words of flatter:
“Thou art indeed, wise and kind!
Rarely have I been before such a beautiful mind!”
He went on for a while as I rolled a joint.
Waiting with patience for him to get to the point.
“Renounce thy kingdom and side with me,
be blessed with riches, as far as the eye can see!”
The Devil looked upon me with expectant glee,
wondering if I will fight, accept or flee.
Taking a puff, I exhaled out a ring,
choosing at last, to throw my head back and sing:
“Hey hey mama said the way you move,
gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove.”
“Ah ah child way ya shake that thing,
gonna make you burn, gonna make you sting!”
The Devil narrowed his eyes, his mouth aghast,
wondering how long such insanity would last.
“ All I ask for, all I pray —
steady rollin’ woman gonna come my way.”
“Need a woman gonna hold my hand,
won’t tell me no lies, make me a happy man.”
“Stop, stop!” The Devil had cried,
“If that is what you want, I can find you a bride.
A woman of great beauty, intelligence and heart,
a queen of mercy that shall not tear you apart!”
It took me a moment, to reach a decision.
Choosing my words, with careful precision.
“You ask for a betrayal, an arrow to the knee,
surrendering what is left of my integrity.”
“Call it foolish, a sin of pride,
a reward can only satisfy, knowing that one has tried.”
The Devil then departed, grimacing in a puff of smoke.
Leaving behind the mirror, for me to realize the joke.
As I peered into the depths of my warped reflection;
I began to feel the warm gush of affection.
Despite all the obstacles, the unanswered pleas,
I had discovered something that placed me at ease.
Looking closely, I was at last able to see,
that during all this time, the Devil was me.
(with apologies for the formatting on mobile)
