The Essence of the Devil

a distich couplet

The essence of the Devil will never be clearer

You saw Him the first time You looked in the Mirror 

Jim Lonsdale Poetry 2025

Reviews

[Ern M. Yoshimoto]

i have been looking in the mirror a lot these past few weeks. and i cannot deny that there is evil i see. there are so many vicious and malificient traits in my behaviour. i wish i could say that i was ashamed of these qualities, but in truth, i am not. i understand what Werner Herzog said about 'the bliss of evil.' there is something exciting about being bad. not to say i am horrible all the time to everyone. usually, i am very kind. but as The Joker said, 'people are only as good as the world allows them to be.' and i know that if the world does not allow me to be nice, i will turn very nasty.
yet, as the Amida Sutra teaches: 'Buddha will bring salvation to the greatest sinners.' i hope that means me. i hope i cease to exist.

[Desert Knave]

Thank you. I find myself philosophical far too often lately. ~Jim

[jacob erin-cilberto]

at least when I saw him, he didn't have those decrepit horns.
But something in the eyes!

[Desert Knave]

LOL. Yeah, the horns are replaced with wrinkles here. Thanks for commenting. ~Jim

[Dylan Macadham]

Haha, a devil on one shoulder, an angel on the other, a reflection of life.
Good write,
Dylan

[Desert Knave]

Thanks. Yes, the old devil and angel on the shoulder imagery is exactly right. ~Jim