I hear to the distant chime and toll of the cathedral bell, It's mournful ring whispering to my soul that all is not well, It seeps into my conscience and taunts like a demon from hell, The anguish tormenting my soul in ways I cannot tell. My freedom is tainted and my glow is gone, For the devil painted my world and left an empty cone, I nearly fainted as I teetered and tottered, totally driven by the alluring tone, Dancing to the cruel rhythm to which my life seems drawn. The reality dawns, suddenly like stones in a shower of hail, Shocking my heart and soul and drowning my painful wail, From the realization that I just missed the devils tail, And missed and encounter with the grim reaper,just about to set sail. © Patolyer 2013