The devil walks among the pious
among the rich and lofty few
toward the halls of justice and of government
into the heart of the holiest place
sunlight streaming on-top of his head
from the stain-glass windows
The devil stands behind pulpits
and carries the Bible in his hand
with a white smile he beguiles the many
and throws out those who hear something off
about his words, his gaze, his temperament
this wolf in sheeps clothing says
Love the sinner, hate the sin
The devil is in the ear of the parent
spare the rod spoil the child, says the deceiver
children need a firm and powerful hand
he encourages the shattering of a child’s safety
for there is nothing sadder in the world
nothing more pleasing to him, than the hopelessness
of a cynical child
The devil walks among us, not quite the roaring lion
we all have come to expect stalking his prey
from high grasses, nay
he’s less a powerful feline and more like a rodent
chewing through the ropes that bind us all together
creating chaos wherever he goes
So if the devil can be in these places
then his evil can disguise itself as well
not the rumble of thunder, nor the rolling of drums
but in the form of whispers as gentle as a feathers touch
that fall upon a willing ear of a person
ready to set the world on fire
confirming to him the prejudices of his heart
and convincing him that he alone can make the world right, again.
For He is the Opposite of Grace