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Smooth operators

There’s a demon on my shoulder, 
clipping toenails into my ear
An angel on the other,
nibbles wax so I can hear
He makes balm for my lips, 
lights candles once a year
Both play devil’s advocate; 
God knows they’re insincere?

Their words are quite pointed, 
but sharper when being blunt?
My ears burn like hell 
as rumours exchange every month
This tug-of-war’s relentless, 
pulling strings to win my soul
If i’m nothing special; 
why fight tooth and nail for control?

Lately they’ve switched shoulders, 
maybe it’s to explore
Candles burn less often, 
not on birthdays like before
Toenails fall unchecked, 
my balm-less lips crack and swell
One day I’m living in heaven; 
the next feels like bloody hell

This war is wearing me down
I can’t do wrong for right
My hair feels thinner, 
no surprise from this endless fight
Searching for bald spots in the mirror 
sheds light on their attack:
Those grifters do Brazilians
and pedicures behind my back.

By
David Kavanagh

Copyright © David Kavanagh | Year Posted 2025

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Ink Empress Date: 2/9/2025 3:05:00 AM Dear david, not sure why the opening lines made me smile especially about the switching places of the devil and angel haha. Gosh! I fear thinking of what the angels might note down, about me, should be a long list.. of human errors. Very clever and brilliant wordplay too throughout this sincere and seamless write woven from your heart: pleasure always reading your poems! Theres something unique about the way you write always. Sending you light always Login to Reply David Kavanagh Date: 2/9/2025 6:07:00 AM Heya Ink, the opening is a little peculiar lol! yet just seems to work for this particular piece, don’t worry about what angels might write down about you, most of them are in disguise anyway, and have their own (errors), as indeed we all do, I believe this is what I’m saying here that both sides of the moral coin are interchangeable and can overlap when trying to gain our confidence, it’s a minefield out there! I’ll take your light, it might well help me find a path through it, thanks so much for high praise, cheers David

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 2/8/2025 10:31:00 AM Good and evil has always existed in this world - one could think of the cartoon Casper the good ghost on the right shoulder and Spooky on the left. Gemini the star sign of millions of people in this world, the twins, each one choosing a shoulder and whispering differing opinions to the person owning this star sign. Walking the tightrope is life between the devil and the deep blue sea, a very fine line of choice between good and evil. Login to Reply David Kavanagh Date: 2/8/2025 2:49:00 PM Heya Jennifer, thanks for stopping by with wise words, you seen things that I had missed here on the soup, I remember you told me all was not as it seems, I did take tacit notice and understood what you meant, but most times in life I found out the hard way, that line you mention is extremely fine and ever present, I think what I’m saying in this piece is, we know what good and evil is, but can also be fooled and led astray when both sides are in cahoots, I’m delighted you enjoyed my poem as indeed I enjoyed reading your wise comment, cheers David

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 2/8/2025 10:30:00 AM Our norms we live by we take as something which is right and normal, but what does our inner self, our soul, tell us. The devil and the angel are badgering you in this breathtaking write my friend, you should ignore them and Choose your own path. Don't let either control you, find your true self. You have two Smooth Operators trying to influence you. Such incredible awesome poetry. Blessings Jennifer Login to Reply

I Am Anaya Date: 2/6/2025 10:00:00 AM (:Coast to Coast song:) Poor devils/angels they are just doing their job, there is such a thin hair line between good & evil, Subjective! One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. It feels as though we're coming undone. "The world is too much with you" This is a wonderful piece, David. Don't let your peace of mind go to the devil/angel. What we can't get out of our system is the dogma we were raised with, we can rid it from our reason but not from our bones it comes back to bite in the ass! Login to Reply David Kavanagh Date: 2/6/2025 1:22:00 PM I was a God fearing man with a conscience Anaya, now I sometimes just feel desensitised to the world, so much propaganda and spin going on, I totally agree with your terrorist analogy, but in all truth they must be rooted out, (the killers and their protectors) not the whole population, otherwise the cycle of violence will go on forever, sometimes the nuclear option feels like the only one, as in putting an end to WW2! Cheers David