Devil squats on my shoulder

          As his eyes pried into my darkness

          he shouted, “from me, came you!”

          acid rain voice shredded my flesh

         from my bones, blood trickles

         unwashed tears terrorizing my mind.

"Beware my snares in the dark," devil chants.

        "I’m coming for you

         you will soar no more

         I’ll manipulate your mind

         and snare your soul.”

         His crucifix shouted, “six, six, six!”

Devil in brine, dips wetly in mine

         wanting to plant his devilish seed

         eaten raw, he consumed my love

         speaking in unknown tongues

         a summons to hell before

         making landfall on devil wings.

Devil’s shadow blocks my light

         invasion of bully into my brain

         circle of fog around his head

        “Come with me to Hellfire realm!”

         instilling black thoughts and red blotches.

Upon my back, he snapped his whip

        “I’m your sugar Daddy, open your legs!”

         He rode my soul, tearing my life.

         Lungful of lies poisoning the breezes

         ravenous teeth leaving road map

         upon torn and screaming flesh.

I close my eyes and tell myself over and over

         He only exists within your head

         His fantasies should not be fed

         I am not the devil and he is not I

         I’ll fight darkness and will not die!

  Once there was a little boy who didn't like his brand new toy. He pouted just a little bit and his mom told him, "Now you just sit!" Well this did not agree with him so he looked at her and he grinned and then he turned himself about and he let go a grand old shout.     

  From everywhere above, below, came all the creatures that we know do not exist in this dimension. Oh boy did this cause some tension! His mother's eyes grew wide with fear. She even summoned up a tear! "You make them go away, young man. Make them go they cannot stay!" 

  The boy just laughed a wicked sound as he called to him a Hell hound. The evil mutt came trotting by while giving mom the evil eye. "Well, mother dear, what will you do? I think I've got the best of you!" 

  Just then the front door opened wide and there his father came in stride. The boy's manners changed real quick. He fumbled to reverse his trick. It was too late, he had been caught and knew he'd soon be a lesson taught. 

  His dad did not take well to tricks, especially ones played just for kicks. The boy began to tremble and shake. He wished it right back he could take. He shouldn't mess with mom that way. He should have known he'd have to pay! 

  He frantically sought a place to hide. He knew he was in for a ride. His father wouldn't be so nice and he felt his tummy turn to ice. He was done for, he was through. He knew it as a fact so true. He turned to face the coming wrath. He knew he couldn't avoid the path. 

  Who was his dad that caused him fear? Why, he was Lucifer, my dear!

Blue eyes meet glowing gold,

Flames twirl to a well rehearsed song,

His smile brings me closer,

Speaking promises of passion,

Promises of a warm heaven inside hell.

I step forward; our hands raise,

Palms parallel; synchronized

He knows this dance as well as he knows my heart,

For he has lived inside of me,

As he lives in all of us,

An angel that can fall to dark.

Two hands entwine,

Another rests upon my him,

A heavy anchor on my skin,

I place a shaking hand over his shoulder,

His skin bare and like a the core of a star.

We step together,

The only music the thunderous beating of my heart,

As his eyes flash lighting,

I glow with a traitorous desire,

My body speaks the words that I don't need to say,

For he has heard my thought already,

Knows that I'm already his,

My soul given freely should he ask.

The devil spins me round in circles,

I orbit him as if he is my own sun,

Glimpse a long gone halo,

A shadow of wings covered in an enchanting sunrise,

A glamour of celestial light,

To cover the darkness within the facade.

As the sun begins to rise and crimson and gold begin to disappear,

He bows to me and leaves a gentle kiss,

An imprint on my lips,

"Goodbye, my love. We will meet again soon."

"Why did you do it?" I genuinely wondered.

"I'm a gambler by nature." he smirked, and with a sharp chuckle added,"it was worth a try."

"Do you regret challenging Him?"

I couldn't believe I was being allowed this interview. These questions had haunted me for years.

"There's no such thing as regret." He spat. "Just another unnecessary human emotion."

"I guess it makes sense that you would have no conscience. But, you were so close to Him. You must have had some feeling." I fumbled for words that made sense in the strange context with which I was faced.

He impatiently interjected, "Feelings are for fools." And then calmly and hypnotically added, "Don't you see the power I've gained? I rule this earth.This world is mine. I took it from Him, along with most of His precious humans." A long hiss accented this last statement, and sent a chill up my spine.

Suddenly defensive, I replied, "But you've been defeated."

A deep slow laugh bubbled up from the depths of the serpents' belly. "Does it look like I've been defeated? Have you watched the news lately?" And a broad, self-satisfied smile stretched across his face while he stared straight into my eyes and blinked slowly.

Faith was something I took for granted. I simply believed. But faced with the reality of this creature and the claims I couldn't refute, (I did watch the news), I found myself nauseous with doubt.

"You're pathetic. You make me sssick." He was still smiling.

"You have doubts. You've trusted and believed in your fairy tales far too long."

I felt sleepy, almost intoxicated.

"You wanted to know about me to understand yourself better", he whispered. "You're doubting what you thought you knew." He inched closer. "Do you think a loving god would allow so many horrible things? Do you think a powerful god wouldn't act to stop such atrocities?"

My heart was beating loudly in my chest.

I was speechless for a moment as I seriously considered his questions.

Then, regaining my composure, looking straight into his admittedly beautiful face, I said the only words that came to mind, "what about Jesus?"

He recoiled as if slapped in the face.

Rendered suddenly powerless by the simple truth of everything that name entailed, he struggled to regain his composure.

"This interview is over!" he snapped.

In an instant I was alone. The heaviness of the silence comforted me like a blanket. I took a deep breath as my heart settled into a steady rhythm.

I stood up to leave and felt a pang of dissatisfaction. I hadn't gleaned anything from an exchange I had waited a lifetime for. Or had I?

They say the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.  That's only half right.  The other half was convincing people they'd know me if they saw me.

Movies helped.  So did art.  You took some pagan goat demons, painted them bright red, and thought that was me, because if you could see me then I was less scary.  The red was a nice touch.  It's like your stop signs- a bright warning that you couldn't possibly miss.  That way you think you know what to look for and don't realize I'm already whispering in your ear.

Jesus was different, of course.  He knew I was there, so there was no sense in trying to hide.  I flattered Him, tempted Him to use his power for a greater good, feeding the hungry and conquering the nations to rule with wisdom and mercy.  I knew that if He became a ruler, He'd then become a tyrant, and love would no longer be an option once He wielded power every day.  The boy didn't fall for it, of course.  I'm still not sure whether I'm angry or proud.

You're not like that, are you?  Ruling the world isn't an option you have to consider.  But there's something that tempts you.  Maybe you lift a few dollars from the cash register at work; you deserve a raise anyway.  Maybe you don't give the money you have to people who need it because they'll just throw it away.  Could be when you shut out the immigrant or the Samaritan, since you have to think of your own family first.  For the person typing this, it's a mixture of pride and anger which leads him to try to humiliate those who don't live up to his moral standards.  Whatever it is, I know it, and I'm the one who tells you it's okay.  You call me the King of Lies, but I don't lie to you.  I just help you lie to yourself.

There's a good chance you're reminding yourself that this is all fiction, that I'm not real.  As if that makes the slightest difference.  Maybe there is no intelligent active being called the devil, but I'm a part of your life whether you like it or not.  What if you were to have a conversation with the devil?  You do it every day.

One day in the courtroom we won't be able to avoid each other. 

For  on that day I'll be there in the witness stand

And you? 

You will be my number one accuser. 

That's one of your best talents, to accuse the brethren.

You'll do your best to destroy me when that day finally comes.

You're actually doing that everyday, you're the roaring lion ready to devour me when I let my guards down, you're the destroyer, trying to destroy my life, my health, my intellect, my family, hey tell you what, SATAN YOU ARE DEFEATED! 

you have no authority over me, just because you can plant thoughts in my head that's not pleasing to my God doesn't mean you have control over me. NO.

I know you're jealous.  

You're jealous of El Elyon.

Why should you not be? He's the highest of all,  and you? Yeah you're the lowest you don't even have feet to walk,  you crawl on your belly coz you're nothing but higher than the dust on my feet,  you're nothing but a liar.  A deceiver, a fallen angel who rebelled against his Master,  who is jealous of his Master. 

On that day on the court you'll tell everyone even the Father all my flaws,  you'll show everyone that I should be with you that I am yours,  I AM NOT. 

you'll convince everyone. 

But I tell you what, on that day I'll be ready my Lawyer will be there. He'll walk and will present me to everyone 

You might even mock Him, taunt Him. 

Hey He will defend me. 

He would call me by my name not by my sin, He knows my name,  and you? You only know my sins.

He'll tell everyone yes I did those awful things. BUT I have come to Him,  and He cleanse me with His blood, that He died for all my sins that you'll be accusing me,  but those are no longer visible, and once again YOU'LL REALIZE YOU ARE DEFEATED.

He only comes out at night and he saunters in through the double doors with a devilish smile. The men in the bar scatter to the far ends of the room as He walks in, tipping his fedora at the bartender. His black eyes sparkle silver in the light, briefly. The women in this untainted dive swoon and it is instantly scorching hot as the thermometer breaks. Beads of sweat are dripping from everyone’s skin but His, He’s used to it.

“Bartender, Tennessee Fire Whiskey, neat.” He grins and the bartender falters for a second but she obeys, quickly.

I watch Him watch every woman in this joint, it is sickening and intense but it’s something about Him. I’ve seen Him before, a few towns over, He glides in and flashes His perfect teeth and winks, then women everywhere fall to their knees, begging for him. Some even begging for mercy. I straighten my shoulders and push off the wall walking towards the exit. I catch His scent in the air and it’s this smell of ashes and Gucci Guilty Black, it’s intoxicating. I turn slowly to face Him and He smiles dangerously.

“Where are you going, little one?” His voice is silk. 

 My mind wills me to run, my mind tells me, “Watch out, he is a woman-eater. You know this. Don’t indulge him.”

“Hmm. The cat caught your tongue? Here, let me help you.” He stands up from the bar stool and towers over me, His scent is intoxicating, my head swims in my deepest desires. “I know why you are here, little one. Let me break you in.” His breath hot on my neck as He speaks to my soul.

My mind yells at me, “Watch out, he will chew you up. Regain your strength, you’ll need it for what is about to come.”

My voice cracks, “I-I should go.” Not much conviction in my voice, but I said it. I got it out into the air.

He firmly grabs my arm and slowly speaks, “No one, walks away from me. Come on, indulge me, indulge your desires.” I couldn’t fight it, I have to talk with Him. I know what He is, I’ve seen Him before, I hear stories but I have to know for myself. So I stay.

“Good girl, let’s sit.” I obey Him and I sit next to Him at the bar. “What would you like to drink, little one?” His voice sounds venomous and dark.

“Angel’s Envy,” I reply and His eyes flash a crimson red but He quickly smiles and calls the bartender over. “What do you want from me?” I question.

My drink is slid in front of me and I quickly down it, the richness of vanilla, wood and cedar tingles in the back of my throat. “Nothing you aren’t willing to give.”

My inner voice is screaming at me, much louder than before. “The Devil is in the details. You know what He is.”

“I will give you…nothing. I know what and who you are. I am not afraid to say “no” to you.” I say with strength and pride. I wave the bartender over for another glass of Angel’s Envy Bourbon.

He slides the stool closer to me and He hisses, “You aren’t the only one who believed in their own strength yet they still fell to their knees, doing whatever to appease me. You are not so different, little one.” He pulls back throwing his head back, laughing.

The bartender slides my glass over and once again I drink the bourbon in one gulp. “The beast does not scare me. The name doesn’t make me cower in a corner and you, you are something but nothing to me.”

I stand up and throw a twenty down for the bartender. I look down at Him, He seems smaller than before. He glances up at me, His face distorts. I swallow the bile trying to climb its way up my throat. I can’t falter now.

“I am hungry.” He growls, softly. “You will pay one day and I’ll be there to greet you. The beauty is there, little one but a beast is in the heart.” He smiles, ruefully.

I blink a few times, something is wrong. Why can’t I move my legs?

“Because you’re allowing Him to win. To chew you up and spit you back out.” My mind screams over and over.

He stands up, puts His warm hands on my waist and guides me to the dance floor.

“Don’t dance with Him…” My mind begs. “I have to…” I whisper to myself.

There was no music blaring from the speakers, only the music that was playing in His mind. He stares into my eyes, His dark abyss peering to my soul. We dance and it feels like forever until He whispers.

“You are not strong enough to withstand the storm.” I close my eyes and He leans his head down as His lips barely touch mine, the heat emanates from His body sending my senses into overdrive.

“Fight Him…” My mind whispers.

My eyes flutter open staring back into dark orbs, a smile slowly creeps upon my lips. I whisper back, “I am the storm.”

He backs away from me slowly, tripping over himself. I laugh as I walk towards Him.

“You will never have me, not today not ever. I command myself, I have faith in me.” I say with power behind my voice.

“I will be back, little one. Today you may have bested me, but tomorrow and the next week and the week after that, I’ll be lurking and waiting for you to come to me.” He stands up tall, straightens his fedora and flashes a charming smile.

“You will never dance on my back.” I brush past Him. “I am the storm, you are nothing.”

Miesha Lowery "Eyes of Art"

“I know I never met the guy, but you expect me to believe my birth father was the devil?”

“Not was, is, and yes, that would be me. Standing before you here in my truest form.”

“But you’re not even…human.”

“Nor male or female, I simply took on the form that would conceive a child. It’s been centuries since I spawned one.”

“You’ve done this before?”

“Many times over, whenever I feel this world needs my influence. All the gods do it.”

“Gods? You’re saying you’re a god?”

“It shouldn't be news to you, that ‘The Book’ you humans wrote isn’t the complete story.”

“Well, no, of course it’s not. I don’t believe any of it, but –”

“But now you do.”

I have fallen with no intention to do so.

Wherever you I go I want to go.

I'll follow into the heated flames.

Cover me in shadows to cover the shame.

My family will wonder but I won't care.

If hell is your home I will be there... 

Lucifer: So, what you are saying is that you are going to create them in your image.

God: Yes, but as an inside joke I'm going to make them all full of flaws.

Lucifer: What do you mean by that Lord?

God: I'll give them something original. Like a sin they are born with. I'll call it Original Sin!

Lucifer: But in so doing, wouldn't that make them NOT in your image. Since you are perfect.

God: Well ... maybe. Ah, yes I see your point. But they will have to live good lives and give service to me to allow for their future salvation. So we will see who is spared and who will be tossed into some unknown abyss on a final day of Judgement. I haven't quite found a name for it yet or the abyss which shall also be created.

Lucifer: I don't quite understand. If you are all knowing and all seeing, why would there need to be this whole process. Don't you already know who will be spared and who will not?

God: ... Of course, haha. Yes, of course I already know you fool. This will ... this is just to ... well ... it's a test that I can bear witness to. That is all.

Lucifer: Seems to me like a game. A strange game that you would play with their lives, doesn't it?

God: Lucifer, why must you always disturb me with your questions? Always questions, questions, questions with you. What is the point of these hellish questions?

Lucifer: Lord, I see you getting that look in your eyes again. Like you may do something rash.

God: Rash! So now I do things that are rash?

Lucifer: Well, you created those giant beasts that roamed the world you created and when you got bored you drove a giant rock into the orb they lived on and killed them all. But to what end.

God: Because I can! You know I think I've had it with you and your hellish dissension. I tell you what. Be gone with you. I banish you to that abyss I spoke of. I'll call it Hell, and you can rule that if you like.

Lucifer: Please, Lord I meant no ... --

God: Ah, that's better no more of his nonsense. He has no clue what I'm trying to do here. This will be my finest work to date. I will love these people I've created forever and ever. It's not like I would cause a flood and wipe them from the face of the Earth if they don't do as I say.