the devil’s lullaby

well aren’t you a pretty little child

said the devil to the boy

let’s take a walk and play some games

and I know just the toy

I have one that flies and floats

but I keep it in the woods

come with me, it’s fine, you’ll see

I really think you should

what’s your name, the little boy asked

and where’s this awesome toy

patience now, the devil replied

his heart overrun with with joy

soon they arrived at a fork in the woods

where the devil propped up a stump

sit down here, cute little boy

and onto the log he jumped

the devil took a long, deep breath

and on a bended knee

told the boy of a world without death

a world he could one day see

the instructions are simple, now I wouldn’t lie

he said to the wide-eyed child

just listen for orders and carry them out

doesn’t that sound just wild

now some of these orders, they may appear strange

but trust me, they’re legit

and when you’re through you’ll start to see

exactly how they fit

the orders will come in everyday life

internet, radio, and TV

look for things your heart desires

for in those things you’ll find me

the boy sat quietly and when he was through

the devil produced the toy

just as I promised, he said to the child

sated with his ploy

then the time had come to head back home

so they took the well-traveled path

now don’t forget, just do as your told

and you’ll never see my wrath

I see you’ve met Timmy, the father exclaimed

as he shook the devil’s hand

he’s a very good boy, the devil remarked

you’ve done exactly as we planned

***

This is the twelfth poem of my personal 30-day poetry challenge to break away from the machine to think about things that don’t matter. I have no idea what I’m doing. – Jim