Toward A Critical Analysis Of Crossroads

He scolded me
for using what he called a cliche.
He scolded me
for reinforcing a fear
of the dark of the moon.
He scolded me
for accepting that a Devil
offers deals at a crossroads.
He scolded me
for not including the harder Deal
that Jesus offers,

and I replied

that we shouldn’t lie about
cliches
that are
both trite
and true.

We all know a crossroads
where the Devil can be found.
Those spaces
only exist
under a dark moon,

and if Jesus
tries to set up
there
where roads meet
he has to know
that at such a crossroads
he will always be
second in line:

“Wait your turn,
man-God,
wait your turn.
Out of all places
this is the one
that will never be
securely yours.”

After I was done
I waited for a reply
but all I could see
was him shrinking from view
as he walked back down
the road he’d taken
to get here.