One More Time; A collection of writings

Handshake

There was a chill in the air the day The Devil strolled in, all sharp eyes and a gleaming smile. I sat alone with my discontentment when He reached out His hand stuck through with fish hooks and offered me a deal. He said "Son, you've got something special in you, something the others can't see, but I can. You're a visionary in a pot of crabs but if you take my hand I'll pull you out and you'll show those fools who was right and who was dinner."

Now, thinking myself man and not a fish, I smiled back, took the hand of opportunity and obligation offered back my loyalty. I know they say all lawyers go to hell but there is no contract, no legalese to signing your soul away. No re-writes or notaries. Just a conversation and a handshake.

The moment those hooks dug into my skin and the blood stained my shoes and I thought I might have made a mistake, He said no dreams are achieved without sacrifice.

When my world turned to burning flames and all I had known and loved went up with it, He told me something new and grand would come from the ashes.

When He pulled me into the flames and I started to scream while my flesh burnt and bubbled like a Thanksgiving pie left in the oven and I begged and pleaded to be set free of the burden of progress, He preached about motivation in the face of diversity.

When finally my bones were ash and my hands full of hooks and I had all I'd ever dreamed of right before me on a tarnished silver platter, He flashed those crooked teeth and dull eyes and told me it was time for dinner.