The Devil on My Back and The Angel on My Shoulder
“And how am I to face the odds
Of man’s bedevilment and God’s?
I, a stranger, and afraid,
In a world I never made.”
By A.E. Housman
The Devil on My Back and The Angel on My Shoulder
What pulls the strings on my puppet self
And brings me to such suffering
What makes me inferior to thee
And no joy to me does bring?
What is so strong for me to battle
“You’re not able.” and “You don’t deserve.”
“You can’t do this,” and “You can’t do that.”
I have no energy to conserve.
I suffocate and I can’t feel right
In lonely darkness kept in chains
Why is it you hate me so I ask
And the only answer that remains
It’s messages received when I needed love
Were kept on hold from a child young
They hurt me deep and keep me down
I needed love when I was young
The devil makes me feel so ashamed
Inferiority is his name!
“Who am I?” “Where am I?” “Do I belong?”
I hate to play his lowdown game.
Now the angel on my shoulder cries
I could live if I choose to fight
Happiness is mine and so is love
If I take my stand and not take flight
“I am able!” “I do deserve!”
“I can feel love!” “I do belong!”
I have to fight or die alone
I have to listen to angel’s song.
Written by Beverley ©
Music: "Cats in the Cradle" by Cat Stevens