Devil’s Playmate

I am the devil’s playmate.

He’s always there for me.

He perches on my shoulder

and talks, convincingly.

We while away the hours

just goofing off, we two.

He makes me think I’m working;

brags on all I do.

When I put off the ironing

until another day;

or when I start to whine,

he tells me “It’s okay.

If I forget my prayers;

to seek God’s guiding hand,

he tells me not to worry;

God always understands.”

I am the devil’s playmate

and sorrowed, though I be,

I cannot seem to chase him off.

He likes hanging out with me.

So, if he knocks at your house,

“Don’t open!”, I implore,

like that old snake-oil salesman,

you can’t get him out the door.

-Joy S. Barefoot