contemplativeThe story of Jesus and Satan standing on a high mountain is one that fascinates me. He took Jesus to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’” It seems this is the contract struck between portions of Christianity and current political expediency (the 45th!). The religious would probably say that political power gained is used in pursuit of saving souls. I wonder, but that’s just me. Stretching the analogy, the story also speaks to the temptation of only seeing life as a physical manifestation of pain. The temptation is to lay down the soul in an effort to escape torment. "By Satan's Side" is retelling based on the need to escape pain of living.
By Satan's Side
On the bluff I saw the earth
no longer seen when it's concealed
by the veil that's been dropped
across the past and future both
they say Satan brought Christ here
showed him the kingdoms down below
offered temptation to crack the whip
bring control over all mankind
the view is different while he stands
at my side with words that blind
whispered drops of honeyed poison
asking same in dire exchange
a soul given up for some peace
to stop the pain that grinds me down
all the kingdoms would be in thrall
removed from sight as therapy
I mull this offer in my mind
emotions shutdown by the grind
sympathies swept away
with the void takes their place
it's too tempting to put aside
the cliff is perfect for the fall
if only I could see beyond
the fog of pain that fills my life
when past and future are no more
only present with chains that hold
me to this ground no matter what
anguish God puts on my plate
I’ll then see temptation's oil
all too slick in promises
mankind be damned would be the choice
on the bluff by Satan's side.
© 2018. Sean Green. All Rights Reserved. 20180312.
