My Little Buddy

My little buddy is with me everywhere
Giving advice and guiding me at every turn
Are my motives admirable or devil may care?
He helps me understand bridges I may burn

But he has a rival that always wants to interfere
And lead me down other roads with promised reward
He lurks in quiet corners and whispers in my ear
Reassuring me - promising I will never be bored

This rival has many names and appeals to my many flaws
Making promises, beckoning, enticing me to follow
I envision my soul sliding down that slope into his waiting jaws
Yet a part of me yearns to go with him and wallow

Then I look back and see my little buddy reaching out to me
From somewhere inside I find the strength to pause
As once again I take his hand and win yet another bout
Avoiding the certain ruin of being grasped by those claws

Poem by Ken Kidd