Born for Raising Hell!

He’d always been a schoolyard bully,

You want to know the truth,

He picked on those too young and silly

To stand up to the youth,

He’d ducked the boys in the village pond

And he hurt the girls as well,

And had a tattoo on his chest,

‘Born for Raising Hell!’

 

He didn’t learn, he was much too dumb,

He didn’t see the need,

He couldn’t tackle a simple sum

Or spell, or write or read,

But he thought the world had owed him some

So he took it, when he could,

And robbed his innocent victims by

Wearing the coward’s hood.

 

The police would carry him into court

And the judge would let him go,

‘He’s had a difficult childhood, so

We must be fair, you know!’

And he would laugh when he got outside

And steal the nearest car,

He thought that he was invincible,

Some sort of rising star.

 

He’d hang with others as dumb as him

Who lived by a borrowed creed,

Adopt a type of a uniform

By growing an ugly beard,

They’d take the gifts of the welfare state

And would swear to tear it down,

‘The time will come that we change the laws

When our army comes to town!’

 

He tamed a silly, submissive girl

And he beat her black and blue,

Then made her cover from head to foot

So her bruises didn’t show,

He taught her to be subservient

To fulfil his every need,

And quoted God, with an iron rod

‘‘Obey’ shall be your creed!’

 

He went to fight in a foreign war

And at first they held their ground,

They slaughtered populations to

Strike fear, in every town,

But a barbarous army like their own

Appeared, and refused to yield,

And he was taken a prisoner

Out there, in a foreign field.

 

He thought he was going to lose his head

As he’d taken heads, before,

But they were a little more barbarous

In the way that they fought the war,

‘We’re sending you back to meet your friends,

But you won’t have time to yell…’

Then strapped him onto a missile,

‘There you go… Go Raising Hell!’

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Mary]

You are the master storyteller, David, and this poem once again attests to your talent. I can almost hear the Charlie Daniels band in the background as I read(aloud of course) this poem. what goes round... sometimes gets written about! Most excellent!

[David Scott]

Makes me think of current events David...
I enjoyed reading your bard song of wisdom today.
Seems you have not lost a beat btw...
I hope all is well with you.

[Woody]

been very busy lately and missed your wonderful stories, David. here you touched on something we unfortunately see all too often, in your beautiful and unique style.
Tate suggested I read this but he needn't have bothered, really. I need no incentive to read David's masterpieces.

[Malister Mikey]

Good write always love a story were someone gets their just deserts.

[NoelHC]

Tate suggested I read this, and I am glad i did. It had the feel and rhythm of a Rudyard Kipling or a Robert W. Service, from a century ago. Well done.

[Patricia]

It'a been a long time since I have read such a wonderful rhythm and rhyme with a story that strikes the heart, soul and mind. I do love this type of poetry and especially one that is full of messages that strike at the center of humanity or lack thereof. Excellent writing! Thanks for sharing!!!!

[TL Boehm]

Holy COW! I'd actually like to see that launch myself - with some types strapped on for the ride. NEVER expected that ending but its a great one.

[Deborah Brooks-Langford]

Oh My Stars David.. wow I have to say he got what he deserve...... I hate to see any one hurt but geeezzzz... just sometimes its got to happen.. thanks for a great write David. We are all loving your poetry in the poetry corner..

Debbie

[wordman]

the end of a coward like poetic justice of live by the sword and die by the sword
with the fear of death burnt into his soul now he suffers 7 fold

[Coyote Poetry]

"Then strapped him onto a missile,
‘There you go… Go Raising Hell!’"
A perfect ending to the outstanding tale. The story got better and I like the final trip for the hell raiser. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Indeed, one can feel those memories of past attack coming back to haunt us, well done, great read.