There’s the devil we know
and the devil not met,
but wherever we go,
though by devils beset,
there is hope for us yet.
There is that which we’ve done
that we’ve cause to regret,
but there’s much to be won
if we never forget
there is hope for us yet.
There’s a way we can live
weighing credit and debt,
but whenever we give
with no thought of the net
there is hope for us yet.
There is better and worse
for contentment or fret,
but in good or adverse
we should ever still bet
there is hope for us yet.
There’s a forge on this earth
where we’re tempered and whet.
While it's proving our worth,
in the trials we get,
there is hope for us yet.
In a list
A contest entry
- Light Hearted by Angelflower.
600 points, ended August 22, 2008, 8 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Tired of HM's (X) by PatheticKt.
550 points, ended August 26, 2008, 15 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - The Path to Redemption by MichaelLeeSmyth.
1200 points, ended November 19, 21 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
-
Bravo!!
Thoughtful, concise, made me smile...
Personal responsibility-what an amazing concept. I like the way in which this speaks for more than just the narrator.
"The devil we know...." I like the acknowledgment that temptations abound in this coil we're traversing. "Knowing is half the battle", is the old adage I suppose. I could go on, but won't.
This is not a poem for everyone, though it should be. Would be awfully nice it were so, anyway.
This holds wisdom a plenty for the short duration that it lasts.
Lovely write, thanks for entering.
As long as there is one voice in the wilderness calling out in the attempt to do what needs to be done-there is hope.
Peace
-
Ahh, great write you've got going on here and the flow was just perfect especially with the wonderful touches by the rhyming scheme
I like how the last line of each stanza becomes more powerful, each time it is read again and therefore, the last line gave quite an impact to the reader, all right . . .
. . . now, I don't know about the first stanza with the word 'devil' being mentioned too much and it can give quite an impression to the reader thinking the piece might be a dark one which is not right here
No matter, this is really a great write with hope penned quite perfectly in here ~ -
-
The 5-line stanza with this ababb rhyme scheme is known as an English Quintain. Even though the subject is serious - maintaining hope in spite of all that is or could go wrong - the light and positive tone is maintained with short lines and long rhythm patterns (anapestic dimeter) which seem to skip along. Using the last line of each stanza as a refrain forces the rhyme so the reader begins to anticipate the rhyme and the refrain which also enhances the flow.
The first stanza is a reference to the old saying that it's better to deal with the devil you know than one whose tricks you haven't discovered. This reminds us we are probably already dealing successfully with familiar difficulties, and trying to avoid them may actually take us into even more trying circumstances. Taking the point one step further, the first verse assures us that as long as we face our troubles - old or new or even multiple ones - there is hope for us yet.
The last verse complements the first by reminding us that the very bedevilments we face in life are the challenges which prove our character.
-
-
You did a wonderful job.. I really liked the emotion in this.. It's really strong and intense.. The imagery was vivid too.. and what a wonderful message too. thank you very much for sharing this wonderful poem with us!! I really liked it!!! best of luck in the contest!
Angel
-
Beautifully inspiring. Good luck in the contest.
-
This is beautiful, and inspirational. I love the way you started it off, saying theres the devil we kno, and the one we havnt met. Its true, and so wonderful how you put all of this together. AMAZING Job!!
-
-
Thanks!
This started out as a good bye note to a person leaving town for a new job. Fun with meter and rhyme just took it from there!
Sometimes good things happen to bad verses!
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 7 of 7
