The Devil In You

Satan is pictured with a pitchfork, tail and horns
If you’re doomed to his hell, hot coals your feet will warm
But when people blame their actions on this scapegoat
Their chance of seeing the truth is very remote

Seven deadly sins bring out the devil in us
Greed, gluttony, anger, and let’s not forget lust
Envy, sloth and pride round out the dreadful sins’ list
As separate entities devils simply don’t exist

Man makes his own demons and acts on his own whims
Flushed with hot anger, in Satan’s cauldron he swims
It’s about time we took responsibility
For leading our own lives in seas of enmity

No “devil” can control a good-intentioned soul
The evil in one’s mind – the prowler on patrol


*For Thvia's contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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12
Brockenbrough Avatar
December 4, 2010 at 5:57 AM
I LOVE the last two lines it sounds like a quote from a famouse philosopher and that's for responding to my poem
Smalling Avatar
November 11, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Soun theology, good poem, all the best in the contest.
Dietrich Avatar
November 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM
Good way to put it, Carolyn, We make our own evil. Congrats on your fine win in this contest. LUv,Andrea
Fraser Avatar
November 9, 2010 at 2:53 PM
How many of us can mark a notch form the seven deadly sins. Quite a lot I'm sure. Kool piece Carolyn and I love how you incorporated the 7 > many congratulations >> James :)
Freeman Avatar
November 9, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Who Me! In Me? I adore the awesome truth in the last two lines. If humanity only knew their own deceptive tool! The wild tree is me! The mind, I mean! Congratulations Preacher, on the whole poem, I must say a beautiful enlightening sermon. Agape, Moses
Freeman Avatar
November 9, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Who Me! In Me? I adore the awesome truth in the last two lines. If humanity only knew their own deceptive tool! The wild tree is me! The mind, I mean! Congratulations Preacher, on the whole poem, I must say a beautiful enlightening sermon. Agape, Moses
Freeman Avatar
November 9, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Who Me! In Me? I adore the awesome truth in the last two lines. If humanity only knew their own deceptive tool! The wild tree is me! The mind, I mean! Congratulations Preacher, on the whole poem, I must say a beautiful enlightening sermon. Agape, Moses
Freeman Avatar
November 9, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Who Me! In Me? I adore the awesome truth in the last two lines. If humanity only knew their own deceptive tool! The wild tree is me! The mind, I mean! Congratulations Preacher, on the whole poem, I must say a beautiful enlightening sermon. Agape, Moses
Freeman Avatar
November 9, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Who Me! In Me? I adore the awesome truth in the last two lines. If humanity only knew their own deceptive tool! The wild tree is me! The mind, I mean! Congratulations Preacher, on the whole poem, I must say a beautiful enlightening sermon. Agape, Moses
Freeman Avatar
November 9, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Who Me! In Me? I adore the awesome truth in the last two lines. If humanity only knew their own deceptive tool! The wild tree is me! The mind, I mean! Congratulations Preacher, on the whole poem, I must say a beautiful enlightening sermon. Agape, Moses
Johnson Avatar
November 8, 2010 at 7:14 PM
Great sense here and great poem. Congratulations Carolyn. Love, Joyce
Chappell Avatar
October 29, 2010 at 4:13 AM
once again you can write so so well my friend thank you for sharing duncan
Horsman Avatar
October 26, 2010 at 7:07 AM
Wonderful truth here, some of the human race tend to blame God and Satan for all their wrong doings, I remember many years ago, the early seventies, in england we had a serial killer, called he Yorkshire Ripper, who murder many woman, he thought he was totally innocent, it was God and Satan. I'm sorry about Chris Carolyn. hope my poem wasn't too insensitive. Harry
Beesley Avatar
October 19, 2010 at 12:51 PM
top of the top "the prowler on patrol" words of wisdom and warfare
Guzzi Avatar
October 18, 2010 at 9:50 AM
so very very true! and the 2 line moral clinches it. Soup mail Light & Love
Dietrich Avatar
October 10, 2010 at 7:42 AM
I believe this too, Sarah. the devil does not have to do anything in regards to the seven deadly sins. They are part of man's nature. Yet, the guy must be doing SOMEthing. They say he is prowling about nonetheless. haha. Anyway, great sonnet. And best of luck in the conest! Luv, Andrea
Hales Avatar
October 10, 2010 at 6:30 AM
the devil is a great subject loved this sarah x
Knop Avatar
October 10, 2010 at 5:58 AM
Dear Carolyn, yes, I agree with Wilma, the last two lines are my favourites! Great that you made it to NJ. It must be lovely there now in fall. I am expecting visitors coming weekend and am already busy. I'll bake a sweet cream cheese cake with canberries and hope they'll like it! We'll be twelve persons which is nearly too much for my 2-room flat! Hahaha, but a nice change. They will stay in a hotel close to my place. Take care and all the best, your friend Gert
Falotico Avatar
October 10, 2010 at 5:50 AM
I love this insight to the devil and choices people make...love Michael
Christian Avatar
October 9, 2010 at 11:25 PM
I like this one, every one has to account for their own actions, my husband was flushed with hot anger it aint nice I tell you doors got batterd plates got smashed but we reain physicaly unharmed, yes the emotional stuff with take time to heal, and this poem is so true if we resist the devil he will flee from us. sadly my other half rose for the bait and he wanted the apple from that tree like adam. anyway God bless you always from diane
Neels Avatar
October 9, 2010 at 9:31 PM
Carolyn, I love the last two lines of your Sonnet, we tend to blame our actions on the devil though we chose to do wrong even before being forced into it. Wrt my limerick it is about Rugby so you are right in making the connection with the movie "Invictus" ;) love Wilma
Locksley Avatar
October 8, 2010 at 7:08 PM
Very true. I agree with your premise completely. We like to find "scapegoats" we can blame instead of blaming ourselves.
Freeman Avatar
October 8, 2010 at 4:54 PM
For example, "Those lips that love's own hand did make! Did first breath the first sound that said, I hate!" Agape, Moses
Freeman Avatar
October 8, 2010 at 4:47 PM
Good job here, yes! People are going to be supprised when the Devil they see is looking in the mirror! Once the veil of their concept is lifted, to see by their precept! Speaking of Shakepeare, look closely at the example poem in my contest. Shakespeare saw a lot deeper into precept than the average person of his time too. Agape, Moses
Brown Avatar
October 8, 2010 at 11:08 AM
I have enjoyed reading your poetry today Carolyn. Have a wonderful weekend. The best to you in the contest. Love, Carol
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