“How’d The Devil Get So High”

Inspired by Selene’s “Trippy Cotton Tail” http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/seleneskye/715480/ And Tom Waits’ “Chocolate Jesus”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweat tastin', hollow on the inside,
seein' those sweet, sweet candied eyes;
temptation sure loves to chastise the livin'.
Men born into sin, sinners yet to realize;
on a pedestal, I wonder

how they hold themselves so high?
Sacrificin' cherry lollypops;

crackin' children in the name of religious ties. 

 

Bow down before the preacher,

speakin’ selected words of the Maker,

drunk on Maker’s Mark. Hell bent on whiskey,

their heaven’s goin’ to send me to hell;

tellin’ me to sell out to Jesus,

sellin’ the devil’s tale.

I’m waiting for ‘em to fall off a that bible,

those heights are jus’ too damned tall.

 

Sheddin' crocodile tears,

waitin’ to devour my soul,

holdin' out their left hand,

sayin’, it’s time to pay the toll,

but I’m not buyin’ into those fears;

my soles are already too sore from runnin’,

think I’ll jus' kneel down and pray,

and ask Jesus to save me,

 

hopin’ the devil looks the other way…

 

Author's Note

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Reviews

[V.B.]

Those last lines remind me of an old Irish saying, "May you be in heaven a full half-hour before the devil knows you're dead."

Love the twist of Maker into Maker's Mark as well--really clever there. This has got a bluesy, sold-my-soul kind of vibe to it that I totally dig. Well done man.

[ewest1220]

Liked it! Great job!

[cartera]

Good luck.
A song I think.
ATB
Alex.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I happen to like Maker's Mark myself. It's a pretty good Kentucky straight bourbon. Religion is the war of God and Money. I never cared much for money but I've always loved God. What was it Jesus said about a camel going through the eye of a needle being easier than a rich man getting to heaven. Well, if that's the case, seems like all them money hungry preachers are defeating their own purpose....getting a little further from the celestial gates each day.

[patricia]

Ha ha I liked the way you edged your bets in the last three lines, Thankyou.

[Revolutionary]

Pretty intense way to say stop shovin your religion down my throat and let me live my life.Yet letting it be known that you can talk to jesus in your own way at your own time.

[Robin]

this should be a song , a super write Tommy

[Angela]

So sad that "Religion" has to be what it is at times. It is a true relationship with God that we need not all of the hypocrisy. You have done a fabulous job Tommy. I'm just askin' Jesus to save me too.

[Ravyne Hawke]

Well written and expressive poem.. I love the last 3 lines.. speaks to me in a deeply spiritual way.

[Quinn Blackburn]

Awesome wordcrafting, Thomas! rolls like a dazzling brook, evoking vivid images and emotions