Temptation's Song

Temptation’s Song

by Steve Loggins

11/9/09

Faintly comes the notes of song across the turgid sea,

strains so sweet we long to hear, to know their source, to see

what could make such vibrant sounds, with craving desire to me,

I want to know!  To hear it more, in its sensuality.

Jib the sail! Put out the oars! Give way to the wind and run

as fast as we can to the root of our lust, for the freedom to have fun,

Despite the cost, we press quickly on, our labors left undone,

The Siren’s song is all that counts, the world now counts as none.

No thought to wife, or sleeping babe, who rest in harbors far,

the song is sung that drive men mad, that forge out prison bars

from man’s own appetite for more, those things that lead to scars

for friend, and family, and self; a man will chase a star.

The consequence is never viewed the way it always ends,

upon the rocks our ship is dashed, no hope to make amends

for mistaken chords of screeching noise that lure us to descend

From safety’s heights to depths of woe, no place that we intend.

Yet on we go, the tempter’s song seems sweet and rare and dear,

we chase a phantom love of self, the song is what we fear,

we think that we will never have it all, our lives will be severe,

without the song to follow, to chase, to give us cheer.

It is but lies, the tempter’s song, he promises the moon,

but always pays his debt to those who listen, all to soon,

with imitations of the real, with a bandy silly tune

instead of symphonies outpoured by masters opportuned.

Resist the urge to listen to the song that leads away

from that we know is better, the path that leads to Day,

To light and hope and life and love, a love that always stays,

No shipwrecked souls are found here. He saves them all who pray.