The Devil You Say!

Now I'm not about to play DEVIL'S advocate I hasten to say,
But chances are you'll hear a DEVILISH expression most every day
The term "The Angel You Say" would better soothe my sensitive ear,
But even with utmost care, my ears can't screen everything they hear!

In attending the church socials, the utmost pleasure I find,
But I stand in fear and trembling with the good Lord in mind,
When I sneak a hunk of delectable DEVIL'S food cake,
Or eat too many DEVILLED eggs 'til my stomach doth ache!

As a youth I was a DEVILKIN as I traveled along the way.
My DEVIL-may-care DEVILMENT was exhibited most every day.
A caning with a DEVILWOOD twig ususally kept me humble,'
But occasionally into the DEVIL'S devious ways I would stumble!

In my youth fiery-eyed preachers scared the DEVIL out of me,
Ranting about eternal damnation vis-a-vis heavenly jubilee.
"The DEVIL made me do it" is really very suspect,
And is probably no excuse to qualify for Saint Peter's elect!

"Idle hands are the DEVIL'S workshop" so I have heard.
I suppose if we heeded that old saw, trouble could be deterred.
And if we curbed our dare-DEVIL race down life's treacherous road,
We'd have a smoother ride to that eternal and Heavenly Abode!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved

Placed No. 6 in Constance's "Bedevil" Contest - October 2010
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Mehta Avatar
October 26, 2010 at 7:31 AM
Robert... congrats on win in contest.....Luv/best wishes.....Hitendra Mehta
Brown Avatar
October 25, 2010 at 9:15 AM
Congratulations Bob on your win in Paula's contest. Love, Carol
Johnson Avatar
October 20, 2010 at 9:14 AM
Very nice Robert. Paula did a supurb job of judgin and finding all these winners. Congratulations. Love, Joyce
Sweetheart Avatar
October 20, 2010 at 5:10 AM
Congrats Bob on your super win in Paula's contest with another amazing piece from your wonderful pen to entertain us all... enjoyed as always as u enjoy your top spot for a top notch piece ..my friend with luv..
Locksley Avatar
October 19, 2010 at 10:01 PM
Great work, Bob! Congratulations on your win in Paula's contest. Best to you, Diane
Dietrich Avatar
October 19, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Way to go, Robert, with yet another clever poem from you. Congrats in this deviliscious contest! Luv, Andrea
Dietrich Avatar
March 20, 2010 at 11:20 AM
STangely, robert, it's God that gets his name misused the most, people shouting it out every time they are upset. Too bad they can't say Oh, my Devil or something. I enjoyed this. Luv, Andrea
Villarosa Avatar
March 19, 2010 at 11:49 PM
A very unique write, Robert. Keep us sharing your talented verse. (^_^) Noel.
Goff Avatar
March 19, 2010 at 8:22 PM
Hey Chief! yes! with utmost respect I salute you! my history is filled with warriors, from the "Angel Of Hadley" (google it!) to stories my Pop told me of his time with my Grandfather (base commander at Fort Benning...summer of '42) during the summer Gen'l Patton was ramping up for goin' overseas his last time, Pop always said the Chiefs were the ones that really got things done! jim
Taylor Avatar
March 19, 2010 at 8:17 PM
The devil you say!
A  Avatar
March 19, 2010 at 5:10 PM
Wow !!!your poem is real creepy. I mean it in a scarey way..I did enjoy your poem...I like every word. U DID SUCH A GOOD JOB ...The only thing is I dislike the word devil...I think it is real evil just the word it self ..EXCEPT in your poem ...I like the way u pointed out all them devil things..especially the eggs..I also like the ending...
Devonshire Avatar
March 19, 2010 at 4:16 PM
You know, bob, I never did buy into "The Devil Made Me Do It." With those deviled eggs and devil's food cake, maybe your congregation is straying from the path. Very witty observations, Bob. Love, Carolyn
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