I actually wrote this after publishing my first novel in 2000, The Devil’s Dust, but I tweaked it a bit for this post, which will come off as a blatant advertisement for the novel. I have no shame.
The Devil’s Dust 
The soul of man seethes wicked
Cold sweat reeks of evil lust
Blood runs hot and thin
When spiked with the devil’s dust
Copyright © 2013 C Mashburn
Sharing this with dVerse Poets Pub on their Poetics: An Evening With Short Verse feature.
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
Mary said
I’m definitely going to steer clear of ‘the devil’s dust.’
charlesmashburn said
Definitely a good plan, Mary!
brian miller said
ha….nice…that is ok….hmmm…gets a little scary when all your mates turn on you to make a bit more of a buck…you know…the story sounds intriguing….
charlesmashburn said
It’s a wild one, Brian! Sex, drugs, murder and general mayhem. I think it’s good, but then, I would!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said
Scary, but tells a whole story.
charlesmashburn said
Yep. Short and sordid!
Thanks, Bjorn!
pandamoniumcat said
Advertisement or no, I like it! 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Dianne!
hypercryptical said
Never dabbled in the old cocaine though have seen those who crave it.
Blatant advertisement – no matter – why not!
Anna :o]
charlesmashburn said
It’s a terrible thing!
Thanks, Anna!
catnipoflife said
You have no shame! Good for you…promote it 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Sharla!
cloudfactor5 said
That’s the problem with being human, we’re so easily tempted !!
charlesmashburn said
Ain’t that the truth!
Ravenblack said
How easy it seems that monster within can be unlocked/unleashed by even a dusting of unwholesome desire or temptation. Scary to think.
charlesmashburn said
It is so easy to fall prey, and it can happen so fast.
gardenlilie said
This is just plain good! It took me more time to lo in and comment than your lovely poem. I’m so glad I’m here to do it!
charlesmashburn said
Did you have trouble leaving a comment? I hope not. I hate it when that happens!
Thanks for taking the time though! I appreciate it!
Kelvin S.M. said
…last two lines nailed it… short & scary…
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Kelvin! I’m glad you like it!
Ursa Bowers said
Nice work! Also congratulations on your novel– get dat promo 😉
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Ursa! The novel is old–published in 2000–and didn’t do well. But I still sell a copy now and then. A novel really has to be special if you don’t have name recognition, and I reckon this one is just so-so.
hobgoblin2011 said
powerfully effective Charles. And just since you mentioned it as coming off as a blatant promotion, I even read it in my movie promo voice. Really nice. Thanks for putting this together for us tonight.
charlesmashburn said
It would make a good movie promo, wouldn’t it! I didn’t write it til after the book was out, and wished I had so it could have been on the cover as a sub-title.
Thanks for the great comment! I’m always glad to join in the festivities when there’s something happening at the Pub!
claudia said
haha…don’t be shy to advertise…you could link it to the dVerse bookshelf as well…sounds like an interesting story
charlesmashburn said
To be honest, I don’t spend much time promoting it anymore. I had high hopes when I wrote it, but that was 13 years ago. These days, I’m happy doing my blog and trying to encourage other folks.
Thanks for the visit and comment, Claudia. Always nice to hear from you!
Sabio Lantz said
Cocaine – proof that God does not love us.
Why would such pleasure be so deadly?
😉
tight verse, my friend
charlesmashburn said
Pleasure can be a fleeting and deadly thing. Thanks for the comment, Sabio.
Sabio Lantz said
Indeed, pleasure and pain can both be fleeting. Life is fleeting too, eh? Sorry, didn’t understand your comment on my blog.
Polly Robinson said
Don’t touch the devil’s dust …
charlesmashburn said
I heard dat, Polly!
Tony said
That’s way better than most advertising, Charles. You have no need to be ashamed.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Tony!
aka_andrea said
Enticing lead in to the evil within.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Andrea!