The Demon

I've been to the top of the mountain I've surveyed the valley below. I've heard the mountaintop call me, I've felt the icy wind blow. I came down from the mountain Feeling exalted and free. It's when I got to the bottom; That's when my demon grabbed me. He said, "One drink surely won't hurt, Let's hit a strip club or two-- We'll get sloshed, then we'll find some drugs You know, like we always do." I lost that euphoric feeling The mountain had given to me, So I took a seat with my demon And drank--that's my insanity. "This still isn's low enough," He whispered in my ear. "Let's dig us a hole in the ground." He handed me one more beer. I started drinking and digging Scratched up, dirty and sore. I hit a rock and thought I was done But my demon wanted more. His seductive manner altered, He started lashing out at me. He said, "I own you; body, mind and soul. I shall never let you be free." I wiped away the dirty sweat; Wearily, I chipped the stone. My demon handed me a drink And made me dig alone. I dug my hole for many years I forgot the mountain air. My demon laughed while I cried, He clearly didn't care. "I've had enough!" I screamed one day. My demon turned in shock. I stared at him through bloodshot eyes. "I can't dig through one more rock." I kicked him down; began my climb Back out of my abyss I heard the demon howl in rage, And then I heard him hiss. I scratched, I clawed, I cried and prayed Never once did I look down. Every time the demon tried to speak, I swiftly kicked him down. The hole is well behind me now I've started on mhy climb, I'm going to the mountaintop, If only one more time. D H Loewen