David Smith Poet Narrative

The Devil and the Poet

The devil in a moment of weakness did challenge a poet to a battle of words.

I HEAR YOU ARE AT THE TOP OF YOUR GAME
Said the devil to the poet.

NEVER HAVE TO WEAR A SWORD
Said the poet to the devil

CHALLENGERS' RULES I BELIEVE
Said the devil to the poet

AS LONG AS WORDS ARE OUR ONLY WEAPONS
Said the poet

THEN FOLLOW THESE RULES 
 Said the devil - "every bad word I use you must turn into good or negate it with another." 
"You can use a two syllable word to link your word to mine if you need to."
 "If your word trumps mine  I will then try to turn your good words into bad"

AGREED Said the poet.

ONE MORE THING Said the devil
I HAVE TAKEN THE WORD LOVE OUT OF THE GAME - WILL YOU STILL AGREE

THAT STILL LEAVES ME WITH FAITH Said the poet
BUT WAIT, WHAT PRIZE ARE WE PLAYING FOR  Said the poet

WE WILL JUST BE PLAYING FOR LOVE Said the devil giving a wink that
gave credit to his evil status.

I WILL SEND YOU PACKING BEFORE DAYLIGHT SO YOU CAN GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP Said the poet.

The devil placed his first word which was - UNFORGIVING.
The poet promptly trumped it with           FORGIVING

Now it was the poets turn to start using the word  -   HEAVEN.
The devil responding took back his turn with             HELL.

Neck and neck they raced on through the night. 
Good matching bad and bad matching good.

With dawn fast approaching the devil took his last gamble. 
BEAT THIS WORD AND THE PRIZE IS YOURS. Said he with glee.
Putting down the word which was   INEVITABLE. 
HA HA HA  HE HE HE the devil cackled
I WILL SO ENJOY WATCHING LOVE DISAPPEAR FROM YOUR JUICY LITTLE HEART.

The poet gave a gentle bow as these two words he uttered
NOTHING IS

NOTHING IS WHAT barked back the devil

NOTHING IS INEVITABLE replied the poet as he picked up love and placed it close to his heart.
Whereupon the devil disappeared into a fog of fire and brimstone, 
Wisely staying away from poets forever - just in case one should ever challenge him to take EVIL out of his game.

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Muhammad Imtiaz February 21, 2018 at 6:28 AM Hi David , it is a nice converstional poem between devil and poet.............. i really enjoyed it and you fought with the devil very well............keep fighting like that....... thanks David Smith February 21, 2018 at 9:40 PM Thanks, I will try. It is interesting how many different cultures have stories in folklore of tussles with the devil. In one it is a musical contest with a fiddle. In another it is smoking a pipe. There are more I can't quite remember. Glad you enjoyed. Regards David in NZ

Tom Arnone July 26, 2016 at 7:34 AM Nothing is inevitable is like saying, anything is possible -- or, the mysteries of existence we may never fully comprehend. :-) David Smith July 26, 2016 at 7:54 AM Agreed. I can tell you are a thinker. When someone uses the word inevitable I find it hard not to feel as if I am being manipulated. The use of the word to me means give up now you can't possibly win. As to poem itself different cultures have similar battles with the devil in their folk law. One used fiddles another tobacco pipe smoking. Good talking to you David.

Demetrios Trifiatis July 15, 2016 at 8:13 AM My good friend David, I hope you have not specified the "...a little longer" with a very small number! Haha! Thank you for your kind words, you so noble! For me there is no room for the Devil either in my heart(fear) or in my mind(doubt) for both are filled with God's presence and as I say: "Impregnable are the walls of faith" I hope you have read my answer to your question: "if we progress collectively or individually! Thank you again! David Smith July 16, 2016 at 1:35 AM Yes I bow to your answer. You can equate that to the bird pecking away at the rock. Bless you David

Demetrios Trifiatis July 14, 2016 at 7:19 AM Oh my dearest friend, David, don't you know that the devil disguises himself as a poet many a time? Wonderful story. I loved it! Of course, we have heard only the... poets version. Haha! A seven! David Smith July 14, 2016 at 5:13 PM Contests with the devil are part of Folk Law in a number of cultures. In one it is a music contest (Fiddles). Heard a folk tale at toastmasters where it was a tobacco pipe smoking contest. Maybe in dark times they were symbol of ongoing fight between good and bad. Maybe also encouragement not to give up as demons can be defeated. May you be long in the house of God before the Devil knows you are gone. Hope you get to enjoy lots more poetry and write even more for us before that happens. I pray god lets your light shine a little longer. Your travelling companion in this life. David