Pinem'e

“When we fell from the good Lord’s grace, 

where do you think we fell to?”   

     Pinem’e said.

“Popular belief is that you went to Hell,” 

     Jake replied.

Pinem’e laughed and raised his eyebrow as if at the cusp of a question. 

“No," he said, "that is a special place, and it is reserved for you 

and your kind. 

Us, on the other hand, 

we inherited this.” 

He waved his hand about. 

“We inherited this lush, 

wonderful world, 

our own special Hell 

to damn you all before you die.”

“Bullshit,” 

      Jake replied.

“And that is exactly why mortals amuse me. 

The signs are everywhere, 

but you refuse to see them. 

We gave you greed 

and hate 

and misery 

and you use those vices so enthusiastically,
with such vigor. 

It truly makes me proud.”

“If this is Hell 

then why do I see such beauty in the world?” 

      Jake asked. 

“Why do people help each other, 

why is there good in this place 

if it is Hell?”

“Am I not beautiful?” 

      Pinem’e asked. 

“Have you ever seen a man as attractive, 

as well mannered, 

as true to form as myself?”

Jake looked him over. 

It was true, 

he could only compare him 

to the most exceptional people he had ever seen. 

Movie stars, 

musicians, 

models, 

they all fell horribly short 

of what this man 

represented.

“Your silence is all the answer I need.”

“Then why are we born into this?”

“You were never born,” 

      Pinem’e answered. 

“You died into this 

from the very start of you. 

From the first suckle 

at the tit of knowledge, 

you were all damned.  

You see, my boy, my kind … 

we’re everything you’re not. 

We are successful. 

We are timeless. 

We have been Kings and Noblemen 

ever before 

we became 

lawyers 

and bankers 

and actors 

and politicians. 

We control your greed, 

your government, 

your music, 

your art. 

We are everything your kind will never be. 

We make sure of it. 

If you were to get too close, 

an accident would happen. 

Perhaps you would be in a car, 

driving along with your wife in Texas 

and someone would shoot you 

from some secluded grassy knoll. 

You would be mourned for what you tried to do, 

but hopelessness would soon return 

and the world would forget what it was you even stood for.”

“God damn you!” 

      Jake shouted. 

He couldn't control himself, 

the words, 

the anger built with every syllable
that foamed 

from the devil’s mouth.

A subtle smile crossed the lips Pinem’e. 

“That is what I have been trying to explain to you all along. 

I’m glad we’re on the same page."