The Liar

Anger rot, anger devour, anger incite

A man to terror. By the cold moonlight

Was I sent to walk each and every night.

Forgotten, ignored, and unwantedly begotten

I cried to God for my pain to be forgotten.

**

Why did they cast me out as such?

They claimed it was for my touch,

But my hands are clean. Although much

I do not have; a thief? I am not such.

Those knaves leant upon me as a crutch.

***

Yet my position is thus; a wanderer

I am. Is there any reason to wonder

Why the people stare as though I plunder

Their goods? To them I ask, “Pray tell,

Is it really just I who is destined to hell?”

**

In a town of poverty, about a man of three

I heard much talk; he went to Galilee.

There he did preach of his divinity,

To a merchant I said, “Will you teach me?”

“Get lost you filthy thief”, said he.

***

Hypocrite, I declared, and cursed them all.

After lying down to rest, a voice did call.

It said darkly, “what would you like mortal?”

To which I hesitantly responded, “The power

To make all those bastards before me cower.”

**

“How would you like this done”, the voice

Did ask. “Since I am permitted a choice,

Then make water an insatiable desire, a vice

They require. As they drown I shall rejoice

And praise your name to the heavens thrice.”

***

Into town I ventured; them to die.

Many did my lips curse. With each did my

Happiness swell. I told them all a lie

In wishing them well. Tonight is vengeance

And thrice thanks. Between the two is dance.

**

Until night I waited for the dozens cursed

To drink from the river, quenching their thirst.

And many did come as happily I said, “ladies first”

With their mouths to the water, stomachs to burst

My broken pride was finally being nursed.

***

Suddenly my eyes felt like drought stricken wells

And my mouth felt dry and tongue began to swell. Bells

Started to peal as a voice comes forth and tells

Me of my imminent demise. “What have I done?”

To which he said, “Your pain has just begun.”

**

Screaming, pleading, dying and bleeding,

The voice laughed and continued feeding

My ears with words of torment. “Drinking

Up your water, as you wished. You have

Forgotten your one and only offering.”

***

“With the Devil you made a deal

And now your soul I’m here to steal.

I can but won’t help you heal.

Quiet now and listen. Can you hear?

With each drink you disappear.”

**

With my last breaths I did admit

My many faults and tricks. I fit

My boss’s gold into my hands while he sit

Idly by. Of the merchant I did benefit

By taking whatever I could get.

***

My crimes are many, truths are few

For me to habitually lie is nothing new.

After death my transgressions will be for review

And destination allotted, which is surely

Hell. For my life was not lived purely.

**

To my passions was I forever captive.

But this punishment while I live

Is injustice for he made that I give

My soul to him. Those people must forgive

and not utter of me any pejorative.

Leave a comment if you would like. I always appreciation feedback. If you are to criticize my poem please do so constructively. Thank you.

Star and flag Misoir

I like your style, I think you have a lot of talent for writing.

I only wish I could express my ideas as well as you


Keep it up

reply to post by Spike Spiegle


Writing a poem is not very difficult. Can you feel a rhythm? Do you have an extensive vocabulary? Then you can write a poem. Even a four line poem is still a poem. I am not saying everyone can be a great poet like Rumi or Dante, but they can do enough for personal satisfaction.

reply to post by Misoir


I just have a very hard time putting my thoughts down on paper, it's always been a problem for me.

All the information comes rushing in, all at once and I don't know where to begin, I read a lot which helps my vocabulary but I think I'm on the lower end of the spectrum....


Being on ATS and forcing myself to reply and practice helps me I think...


SS

reply to post by Misoir


Very cool story! You had me from start to finish. star & flag!

reply to post by imawlinn


Thanks man! Also I enjoyed your signature. It is too true.