The Devil I've Become

What card are you?

I am the Fifteenth Arcana
   He who feasts on your bones
Would-be sovereign of your soul
   Captain of your woes

You'll find me entrenched within
   Perched atop the altar
Upon which you offer me every weakness
   To ever make you falter

I am the urges of the flesh
   The thorn that pricks your pride
Ruler of your every perversion
   A darkness from which you cannot hide

My voice shall whisper in your ears
   Beckoning, tempting you with doubt
Casting you in the chains of lust
   Enslaving you to things you cannot live without

I am the reflection of your inner self
   Inverted pentagram; a crown of pain
Bearer of the hellfire torch
   Within your virtues burn, slain

Slave to me you'll be until your last breath
   If it is apathy that you so choose
Bound in servitude to the avatar of the seven
   'Tis only everything you have to lose

I am the shadow that walks beside you
  The desires that you hide
Master of the Lovers
  The despair that lives inside

The light of hope cannot blind me
  Nor darkness chase me away

Every saint is also a sinner
   Awaiting the call of judgement day

In all this I have told you
 Given you omens of my approach
  I might have been like you once
   A long, long time ago
    But now I am undone
     By the Tower and the Twins
     So too the Priestess
    You see Death always wins
   Destiny has had its laughs
  For now I've joined the others
 Turned a monster like them all
Such a long hard way to fall

    I am the Fifteenth Arcana
           He who feasts on your bones
 I am the poison in your mind
       For The Devil I've Become...
        

Author's Note

Inspired by a new book series I've been introduced to, a card, a quiz, my best friend, and my own personal demons. This piece has become the spiritual successor to my old poem, "The Demon That Is He". Indeed I consider this its big brother.

Captcha: Scareful

Reviews

[lost girl]

I have been told that there are two cards of my birth - Death & The Emperor. I am fascinated by your well written piece. I try to keep a balance of light and darkness within me. I fear that if I linger too long in either i will not fulfill my destiny and move on. I am indeed soulful as I suspect are you. I am thankful to find your writings today for both learning and leisure. I shall be back to read more.

[Caradoc]

Again, thank you. I am glad that you were able to glean something meaningful from my writing. An artist is always grateful to hear that his work is appreciated.

[Relic]

This is very interesting and gothic in nature to me. I remember having a tarot deck when I was younger. You've given in detail the idea behind one of the arcana in a sinister way that would be true to horror. I would only suggest keeping your lines to a certain syllable count as it does tend to through off the flow a tad when the lines get longer than shorter. Great stuff.

[A. Amos]

I admire your skill my friend, love the title and your contents were simply amazing!

[Bluefire]

I like this, it reminds me of Lord Loss's poem in the Demonata series by Darren Shan.
"In the center of the web, vile Lord Loss torments the dead."
Brings back memories... -fades out in a daze like Fuko with a starfish-
Anywho, well done. ^^

[Caradoc]

I never finished that series. It was waaaay creepy. I did finish the Cirque du Freak series though. I loved that one.

Glad you liked this one. Thanks for fading in and out. :)

[Bluefire]

Cirque Du Freak is the best! The ending of Demonata was way weird but worth it, except I felt a little disappointed for some reason.
Anywho, you're welcome!

[FlamingPhoenix]

I ABSOLUTELY love this! With every line that resonates, I find the truth sublime!

[Caradoc]

Thank you. So glad you enjoyed it. :)

[FlamingPhoenix]

You are most welcome!

[AprilRN1210]

Oooh, I really like this! It has a dark, seductive "voice" that seems to be taunting me. Revealing secrets one by one, on ways that he has tortured, teased, and enticed wicked desires within my soul. Drawing me in further by allowing me a glimpse into "his" evolution into this glorious, alluring monster that now sits on his throne before me. Warning me on the dangers of succumbing to this "inner voice". Awesome write!

[Caradoc]

Thank you. I'm glad you like it.

[AprilRN1210]

You're welcome.

[redflutterby]

Ahhh...a deeply dark write. You know they say gingers have no soul..lol! So as a redhead ive always found the devil to be quite a bit interesting. Maybe its my own devilish nature... ;-). Excellent write on all things pitch forked... };-)~

[Caradoc]

I never understood that saying about red heads. I've always found that hair color so attractive. Although I did once read in a book a silly notion that "Judas" was a red head, haha.

Glad you liked this one. Thanks for stopping by.

[redflutterby]

Of course...through out history redheads have been accused of many things!! Witchcraft and bearing the mark of the devil just to name two. Jealousy mostly...lol!!

Youre welcome...my pleasure! ;-)

[Lyn Anderson]

Interesting piece. I like the dark feel, and the expanse of it.

[Caradoc]

Thank you. I much prefer the dark to the light. :)

[Melissa]

I really enjoyed this not only because of your well chosen words but the rhythm of it carries the reader right to the end of it. That might be a weird way of wording it but it feels like it has a drive of it's own. it's charged and evokes a feeling of unease and foreboding. Nicely done. :)

[Caradoc]

Thank you for reading and reviewing this piece. It's nice to know you enjoyed it.

[Palm Tree]

This is an amazing piece. It never ceases to amaze me how something so little (like a card) can inspire something so great. Your poem, "The Demon That Is He" has always been my absolute favorite. Until now. This was intense and beautiful at the same time. You truly captured the essence of The Devil and represented him in a way that few people can. Well done!

[Caradoc]

Thank you, truly. This is a wonderful review and it fills my heart with joy that I have trumped (pun intended) your favorite poem of mine with this new one. I tried not only to weave interpretations of the actual card, but also references to the biblical devil, as well as a bit of me into this piece. And of course there's a bit of Cole's Arcana to be found within.

Again I thank you, for if not for you, I never would have had the inspiration to write this piece. :)

[Palm Tree]

You are so very welcome :-)