The Devil and the Poet

The devil in a moment of weakness did challenge a poet to a battle of words. I HEAR YOU ARE AT THE TOP OF YOUR GAME Said the devil to the poet. NEVER HAVE TO WEAR A SWORD Said the poet to the devil CHALLENGERS' RULES I BELIEVE Said the devil to the poet AS LONG AS WORDS ARE OUR ONLY WEAPONS Said the poet THEN FOLLOW THESE RULES Said the devil - "every bad word I use you must turn into good or negate it with another." "You can use a two syllable word to link your word to mine if you need to." "If your word trumps mine I will then try to turn your good words into bad" AGREED Said the poet. ONE MORE THING Said the devil I HAVE TAKEN THE WORD LOVE OUT OF THE GAME - WILL YOU STILL AGREE THAT STILL LEAVES ME WITH FAITH Said the poet BUT WAIT, WHAT PRIZE ARE WE PLAYING FOR Said the poet WE WILL JUST BE PLAYING FOR LOVE Said the devil giving a wink that gave credit to his evil status. I WILL SEND YOU PACKING BEFORE DAYLIGHT SO YOU CAN GET YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP Said the poet. The devil placed his first word which was - UNFORGIVING. The poet promptly trumped it with FORGIVING Now it was the poets turn to start using the word - HEAVEN. The devil responding took back his turn with HELL. Neck and neck they raced on through the night. Good matching bad and bad matching good. With dawn fast approaching the devil took his last gamble. BEAT THIS WORD AND THE PRIZE IS YOURS. Said he with glee. Putting down the word which was INEVITABLE. HA HA HA HE HE HE the devil cackled I WILL SO ENJOY WATCHING LOVE DISAPPEAR FROM YOUR JUICY LITTLE HEART. The poet gave a gentle bow as these two words he uttered NOTHING IS NOTHING IS WHAT barked back the devil NOTHING IS INEVITABLE replied the poet as he picked up love and placed it close to his heart. Whereupon the devil disappeared into a fog of fire and brimstone, Wisely staying away from poets forever - just in case one should ever challenge him to take EVIL out of his game.