Standing alone on a dark street and lost
In a city I had never walked
Was the time I met the Devil Himself
We sat awhile and together talked
For He as I was lost while wandering
Exiled from home forever pondering
Do our own fathers not love us at all?
“I tried to rebel,” Satan told me so
I confessed, “Every son gives it a go”
It should not be this way, we both agreed
Do we not cry, and fail, do we not bleed?
“How is it you came to this place?” He asked
“I am afraid of both future and past.”
“Of what in either is it that you fear?”
For then I could not answer his question
Terrified I was of His demeanor
Neither my past nor future terrified
As a Master of the Universe could
My problems were small compared to this now
Again I asked him about why and how
It came to be in this city He was
“The answer is simple,” He said, “Because…
“It’s you I came for, poet, liar, and thief,
“My Father is angry beyond belief,
“This human has committed every sin,
“The road to redemption won’t soon begin,
“Bring his soul immediately to Hell,
“His actions worse than when Lucifer fell.”
My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt
My knees begin to buckle, but I stood
The Devil lies and acts never for good
And so I lied right back to the demon
“I am not the man you are looking for,
“You’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
Pulling the cross from underneath my shirt
He pulled away as if the symbol hurt
“You are who I seek, do not try and lie,
“Unforgivable, your sins, here is why,
“You left your family to starve for what?
“To come to this city so rife with smut,
“Indulging in lust, gluttony, and lies,
“You’re lucky I’ve hidden in this disguise,
“But I’ve grow tired of our conversation,”
He said, as he reached for me, revealing
His true self, a hideous demon and king
He smacked away the cross, and I screamed
Even inside nightmares that I have dreamed
Nothing scared me like the Devil Himself
His touch was much colder than ice, yet burned
For my wife, cat and children I then yearned
In paralyzing fear I prayed to God
To save my soul, for another chance, please
And then it was that I fell to my knees
Tears filled my eyes as He smiled, bearing down
As if I were Satan’s child, helplessly
“Are you ready for death?” the Devil asked
But a light I saw from a door so small
Not far from us a church door swung open,
A minister clad in robes approached me
“What is it here that bothers you, my son?”
“Satan,” I told him, “The Devil has come.”
But the Devil fled, like a gust of wind
“It’s cold outside,” said the minister, “why
“Don’t you come in. We’re about to begin.”
Inside God’s house I reluctantly went
A place not very much time I have spent
And at once I felt both guilt and great shame
Then the minister said, “I’ve felt the same,
“But hear me God’s grace is given for all,
“For sinners especially, big and small”
“Won’t the Devil come back for me?” I asked
“As punishment for my so troubled past?”
“Indeed he will,” said the minister then
“He comes for me on every night, my friend,
“His lies lay guilt upon your pillow, and
“Every morning you wake with doubt,” he said,
“But redemption is given as a gift,
“Rejoice, God’s forgiveness is ever swift.”
I sat and listened to the choir sing praise
To thank God for giving another day
Through the stained glass I saw the bright full moon
Chuckling under my breath like a buffoon
Service ended, then fellowship began
Sunlight pierced the darkness at His command
Rejoice I had, I thanked the minister
“No more will I behave so sinister.”
“Good,” he said, “Now face your fears, go back home,
“Keep your mind clear, defeat your sins, but if
“You cannot, this place is your holy spot.”
I thanked him but hope to never return
“For eternity, yes, your soul will burn!”
Satan’s voice echoed in my lost spirit
I know now that he is always there, as
God is as well, to keep things even, fair
The Devil’s power is much to defeat
When I struggle with life, I think of that
Night, that street, and remind myself of what
Could have been, an eternity tortured
For my lifetime of sin, but alas
I am free from the Devil’s cold embrace