I wake up,

the sun is shining

the new day brings

hope.

“Bring on the day,” I say.

“You will fail today,” says the little voice on my shoulder.

“Ha!” I laugh.  “I know who I am. I know my plan.   I will conquer the day!”

I affirm boldly.

“We shall see,” says the little devil.

“Get behind me, little devil, get behind,”

I command with such authority

he must obey.

The day wears on,

I check my pockets

and there is little money.

“I am so poor,” I say.

“See, you have failed.  You cannot buy anything nice,” says the little voice on my shoulder.

“I know who I am.  I know my plan.  I will conquer the day!” I declare.

“We shall see,” says the little devil.

“Get behind me, little devil, get behind,”

I command

and he obeys.

The day wears on,

and I become hungry

but I cannot buy that much

food.

“I wish I could feast,” I complain.

“See, you have failed.  You are starving to death,” says the little voice on my shoulder.

“I will conquer the day!” I declare.

“We shall see,” says the devil.

“Get behind me, devil,”

I say, and I say it again,

until he obeys.

The day wears on,

I am a lone island in a sea of people

I feel utterly on my

own.

“No one understands me,” I cry.

“You have failed.  You are alone in this life,” says the little voice on my shoulder.

“You win,” I say in defeat.

“You are mine,” laughs the devil.

“Get behind me,” I plead.

“I will not!” he proclaims defiantly.

In the moment of darkness,

I fall on my knees and I

pray

and I realize

I have sufficient for my needs

and peaceful sleep

comes upon me.

When I wake up,

the sun is shining

the new day brings

hope.

“Bring on the day,” I say.

“You will fail today,” says the little voice on my shoulder.

“Ha!” I laugh.  “I know who I am. I know my plan.  I have sufficient for my needs.  I will conquer the day!” I affirm boldly.

“We shall see,” says the little devil.

“Get behind me, little devil, get behind,”

I command with such authority

he must obey.

(Matthew 4:1-11)