The Devil Tried Poem by Randy McClave

The devil tried to get me to smoke
But, I quickly refused,
He wanted me to have a stroke
At my health he was highly amused.
And every time that I told him no,
His temptations to me began to grow.

The devil wanted me to take pot
And also to drink whiskey and beer,
But, I told him that I would not
I don't need drugs or alcohol to bring me cheer.
I told him my belief is quite simple,
My body is my temple.

The devil tried to get me to curse
And also to take the lords name in vain,
I told him never could I be that perverse
And never with swear words would I complain.
Then I said the following to him to be contrary,
"The devil needs to get a dictionary".

The devil told me to break a promise
And to never keep my word,
I told him that I won't ever be a doubting Thomas
Being truthful and honest is how I'm referred.
I told the devil that I would never be or act like him,
I could never be that sinful and grim.

The devil told me to use and hurt others
Just for the fun and the pleasure of it,
I told him pain and hurt are not my druthers
Even if someone did it unto me for their own benefit.
I will not ever seek revenge,
And the pain and lies afflicted on me, I will not avenge.

The devil wanted me to cheat and lie
I told him that would never be,
I could never cause pain and people to cry
Especially the ones who I loved, that is not me.
Then at the devil I just smiled and laughed,
I gave him the shaft.

Randy L. McClave