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THE POEM

A One-Act Play

by

Erin Zoromski
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THE POEM

CAST OF CHARACTERS

DEVIN. A man.

RHYME. Age unknown. Represents a guardian angel.

PROSE. Age unknown. Represents the dark temptation.

ANGELA. Devin’s angelic wife.

THE TIME

Unknown.

THE PLACE

A Purgatory-like place that resembles a study.

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Synopsis to The Poem

The Poem is a one-act allegorical play about the

importance of writing one’s poem in order to pass onto
Heaven or Hell. There are clashing of theologies during
Martin Luther’s time presented by the styles of poems and by
the characters. If a poem is written out of darkness through
the “old way” and in the style of a prose, then that person
will be sent to Hell. If the poem is written out of new love
and grace while rhyming, then that person will be sent to
Heaven instead. Devin, the protagonist, wants to leave the
purgatory-like state he is in by writing his poem. Prose,
the antagonist, and who represents temptation and darkness,
wants Devin to write a poem with darker elements in it to
send him to Hell. However, Devin is interrupted by Rhyme, a
character who represents light and an angel that speaks in
rhyme, wants to inspire Devin to write his poem about love,
grace, and other joyful elements to send him to Heaven.
The play opens up with Devin writing his poem, but he
is frustrated and is tempted by Prose to write about the
sins he has done throughout his life. Before Devin has a
chance to start writing, Rhyme shows up out of a mirror in
the room to stop him from going in the wrong direction.
Devin does not want anything to do with Rhyme and wishes to
be left alone. Rhyme constantly uplifts Devin to try and
inspire him, but Devin still believes what Prose says about
the poem at the beginning. Then Prose shows up again and
tries to push him away from Rhyme by giving Devin a black
quill that forces him to write in a darker manner. As Devin
is writing his poem about the drunk driving accident with
his wife Angela, he soon realizes he wants to write a poem
about her. Rhyme appears again when Devin has this
realization and Devin breaks from the spell that Prose
created while starting to rhyme more himself. Rhyme finally
gets a chance to summon Angela to inspire Devin’s writing
because Prose breaks some of the rules. Then Rhyme tries to
hand Devin a white quill with holy powers imbedded into it,
but Prose grabs a hold of it. Prose soon realizes he cannot
hold onto the white quill and pleads for mercy, which causes
Rhyme to throw him into the mirror. With Prose gone, Devin
can finally write his poem but he finds one last crumpled up
piece of paper with a farewell poem written on it. After he
reads it, he realizes that Rhyme and Angela have disappeared
and he is left staring at the mysterious glowing mirror.
THE POEM
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SETTING: A purgatory-like place that resembles a study

containing bookcases of poems and a full-
length mirror. There are many crumpled up
pieces of paper surrounding the desk.

AT RISE: Time of day is unknown, but it seems to be night.

DEVIN is found at the study desk writing.

DEVIN
(Crumples up a piece of paper and throws it)
Why can’t I get this right?
(Continues to write but stops)
How long has it been since I arrived here? A day? Two days?
A week? Maybe, a month? I don’t know. Does time even flow
around here? Why can’t I get this right?
(Picks up a book that resembles a Bible)
I wish someone were here to help me because this isn’t
helping me out at all.
(Reads from the book)
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of
works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”1
This doesn’t make any sense to me. It’s like in another
language. And look at this one: “yet we know that a person
is justified not by the works of the law but through faith
in--Jesus Christ!…2
(Puts the book forcefully down on the desk)
Writing a poem should not be this difficult. This is
hopeless!

PROSE enters.

PROSE
(Voice is heard off stage)
You are here to pay for all your dreadful sins my dear
friend. Forget about those silly rules.

DEVIN
Who’s here?

PROSE

1 Romans 11:6 (New Revised Standard Version)

2 Galatians 2:16
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I am Prose, good Devin.

DEVIN
Prose?

PROSE
Yes, and I am here to help you write your poem.

DEVIN
(Refers to the book on the desk)
I thought I was required to write this by myself. I think
that is how I interpreted the rules anyway.

PROSE
Like I said before, forget the rules. You will never get out
of here if you do not listen to me. Besides, I could offer
you a better life, a wealthier life, an indulgence of life!

DEVIN
How? I thought that this is where it ends after I have
written my poem.

PROSE
Oh, that is not true at all. There are many possibilities
ahead for you. Just listen to me, and I will share with you
the true path.

DEVIN
The true path…is there such a thing? Why should I believe
you?

PROSE
You have so many questions. Ye of little faith, my dear boy.
Ye of little faith.

DEVIN
I want to have faith and get out of this place!

PROSE
Then I will tell you what you need to do, if you buy in what
I have to say of course.

DEVIN
Tell me! I must get out of this place! I don’t know how much
more I can stand it here. All the hours of writing, re-
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rewriting, throwing things away. It’s driving me crazy!

PROSE
Have some patience, but here is what I have to offer. I will
tell you my secret of living with treasure and wealth. You
will never starve nor suffer ever again.

DEVIN
Treasure and wealth?

PROSE
Yes, but there is more that will be given to you if you do
what I say and give me all that you have. You will be in
charge of a land and become king where everyone will have to
bow down at your feet.

DEVIN
That doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t need those things to
live. All I need is...I can’t remember. I’m pretty sure I’m
supposed to remember something or someone…

PROSE
There is nothing and no one to remember but to look forward
to your rich future. I can help you get out of here. That is
what you want. You know that I am right.

DEVIN
If I say yes, what do you get out of it?

PROSE
I am only here for your benefit, but I would receive wealth
of my own. Just like you, so we are in this together.

DEVIN
I really want to get out of here. Tell me. What do I have to
do? I’ll do anything to get out of this place!

PROSE
Give up on writing your poem and let me write it for you.
That is all you have to do.

DEVIN
What? I can’t -

PROSE
Do I have to repeat myself?
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DEVIN
How is that possible? But the rules say I must –

PROSE
Oh, your hands will still be writing it. That is true. But
you must write it as a prose about all of your sins and
wrongs you have done throughout your life. You must write
about your greatest fears and failures that have only
brought misery on you and everyone. List every single one
out and all the supposedly “good” works you have done.

DEVIN
But I never want to go back to those thoughts. I can never-

PROSE
Listen to me! If you do not do this, then you will be stuck
here forever without any hope or a chance at an eternal life
to come. Do you really want that?

DEVIN
No, I do not want to be stuck here forever. This would be
Hell.

PROSE
Exactly my point. You are catching on pretty quickly. Now,
what do you choose?

DEVIN
Wait…

PROSE
What could it be possibly now?

DEVIN
What about the good times? The times of grace in my life?
Why can’t I write about those? About the people I love and
cherish –

PROSE
Let yourself forget them. There is nothing in your life
considered good anymore. The little amount of good works
will not save you. Your mind must be dragged into the
darkness in order to live again!

PROSE
(PROSE starts to exit)
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It is up to you now. I will leave it to you to do my

bidding. Make your choice, do it yourself, and write the
prose poem of your selfishness!
(Prose’s laughter is heard)

DEVIN
(Long beat)
Well, the choice is either get out of here or be stuck in
this Hell forever. So…it is kind of obvious which way I
should go. But, why must I write and list about the dark
times in order to seek new life? I can’t do this with my own
strength. But if I want to get out of here, then I must do
what Prose says. There is no other way. I have to get out of
here. And besides…I get to be a king when I do.
(beat)
But who was that person I was trying to remember? It’s so
faint in my mind.
(Begins to write again)
I guess it doesn’t matter anymore. I deserve to be here, but
I will make things right again by writing this kind of poem
Prose speaks of. I must write this before it’s too late.

RHYME
(Voice is heard offstage)
Oh, dear Devin, why cannot you simply tell? Prose just wants
you to buy an indulgence and send you to Hell.

DEVIN
Wait, who else is here?

RHYME
There is no need to fear. Please, come to me and be near.

DEVIN
(Stands up and walks to the mirror)
Show yourself, whoever you are.

RHYME
Oh, come on dear fellow, I am not that far. I am a humble
wo/man of my good word. You think as me as though I am
absurd.

DEVIN
Reveal yourself and stop your rhyming!

RHYME
Ah, but that is who I am and you must see the silver lining!
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RHYME enters.

RHYME
Hello there, my dear friend. My name is Rhyme. I think I
made it here just in time. I am here to help out and to be
with you. There is most definitely another path that you can
choose.

DEVIN
What do you mean by another path?

RHYME
One that is not filled with this terrible wrath!

DEVIN
Your rhyming will definitely get annoying.

RHYME
Oh, do not be the one that is toying. Don’t you think that
poems sound more delightful when they do? What is wrong my
dear fellow, why do you look so blue?

DEVIN
Leave me alone, I’ll find my own way to Heaven!

RHYME
If you listen to him you will not find yourself there, dear
Devin.

DEVIN
Tell me what you mean to my face. Tell me how –

RHYME
You will get out of this place? This is but a place of
swarming knowledge.

DEVIN
I feel as though I am still in college.
(Short beat)
I didn’t mean to do that…

RHYME
Now, you’re catching on and I have a lot in store. But
first, pick up these papers off of the floor.
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DEVIN
What makes you think that I should trust you now?

RHYME
Oh, quit being the one who is having a cow. I have come to
you when you feel as if you have no strength at all. I am
here to help you through this terrible fall.

DEVIN
Ugh, fine. Just stop with the rhyming already.

DEVIN waits for RHYME to speak,

but only gestures to the
papers on the ground. Then DEVIN
hesitantly walks back to
the desk and starts picking up the
crumpled papers.

DEVIN
What does this mean? Why am I doing this?

RHYME
(Pointing at the papers)
Don’t forget the one that you missed! All right, this is how
your poem should be. It should be filled with love and what
makes you happy. Why write for hate throughout your days
when there is so much to be praised? “Let love be genuine;
hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good”3…This must be
understood!

DEVIN
But Prose says I have to write about the sins that I’ve done
in my life.

RHYME
Do you really think we don’t know about your repented
strife? Humans will be humans because they all do their
wrongs. But there is so much more to your life song!

DEVIN
But Prose said nothing about love. In fact, it was not even
mentioned.

3 Romans 12:9
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RHYME
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”4

DEVIN
How can love do such a thing?

RHYME
Oh, it just makes my heart want to sing!

DEVIN
I’m so confused right now. I don’t know whom to believe.

RHYME
It’s time to write your rhyming poem, so you can finally be
free.

DEVIN
Please, just leave me be. Leave me alone!

RHYME
I cannot until you have finished your poem. I will not let
Prose be the one to win your heart. You must remember whom
you loved from the start.

DEVIN
The one that I loved? The One from above?

RHYME
Yes, but Prose tells you lies and leads you astray. You must
listen to what I have to say!

DEVIN
But I must forget. I have to forget.

RHYME
My dear friend, you are filled with so much regret. I have
so much to show you and you have so much to find. Can’t you
just trust me and see it as a symbol and a sign?

DEVIN
I suppose I could give you a chance. I wouldn’t want to lose
this in a glance.

4 Proverbs 10:12
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RHYME
That’s the spirit! You are learning quite quickly! You are
even looking a little less sickly. Let me explain how you
are both a saint and a sinner. But the One who gave you love
sees you as a winner. We all do wrongs throughout our days.
But faith is like the sun filled with glorious rays.

DEVIN
Wow, that does sound exciting!

RHYME
And do not forget that it is inviting!

DEVIN
Just give me a minute to think this through.

RHYME
I’ll be here all day if that is what you want to do.

DEVIN
I think I’ll…

PROSE
(An interrupting voice is heard offstage)
Do not be foolish and come to a hasty conclusion! Rhyme, let
the man do what he truly wants, which is to follow me. And I
agree…your rhyming is quite annoying.

PROSE appears from the mirror

holding a black quill in his
hands. PROSE pushes RHYME
aside causing RHYME to fall
down.

PROSE
I have brought you something, Devin. It will help you with
your writing you are destined to do. It will block out the
useless chatter in your mind about love, happiness, and
faith. All you need to write about is what I told you
before. Do you not want to live freely as a king with
peasants at your feet? There is so much power that I can
give you. There is no better path than this.

DEVIN
You will help me forget? What will I forget?
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PROSE
Those things that will just get in your way. You do not need
them hindering your writing now.

RHYME
Don’t take that dark quill. Don’t do it at will!

PROSE
Quit your intruding. This one is mine!

RHYME
You must not do that but make your poem rhyme!

PROSE
Look at you. As if you have the power to beat me.

RHYME
The light will defeat the darkness and it will set him free!

PROSE
Here, take this quickly. Don’t let him/her tell you these
lies.
(He hands the black quill to DEVIN)

RHYME
No! He’ll take your soul and make your blind eyes cry.

DEVIN
(DEVIN holds onto the black quill)
I feel so empty.
(To Rhyme)
Who are you? I don’t know what’s going on.

PROSE
Yes, now write.

PROSE leads DEVIN to the desk and

sits him down. RHYME tries to
lung forward to take the quill away
but PROSE knocks him back onto the
ground.

RHYME
Why must you be so cruel? You know you can never be the one
who will rule. The one Most High is above all of creation.
You are nothing but an animation.
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PROSE
Now, that was cruel of you to say. Of course, I can rule. I
will be the one that wins this time. You cannot hold me back
now. Go back where you belong and never return here!

PROSE pushes RHYME back into the

mirror while RHYME tries to
fight back but loses and is
sent away.

PROSE
(Walks behind DEVIN as he starts to write)
Write it all! Write all the darkness in your heart and let
it take you away!

DEVIN
I must write about the darkness. I must -

PROSE
Yes! Keep writing! Write about your failed dreams!

DEVIN
I have no more dreams.

PROSE
Yes. Very good! Write about all your broken promises!

DEVIN
I’m a liar. I cannot keep my promises.

PROSE
Excellent. Now, write about your pathetic death!

DEVIN
My death? I’m dead?

PROSE
Yes, and of course you are. That is why you are here.

DEVIN
I will write about my pathetic death.

PROSE
Good.
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DEVIN
Someone was there. She was there. Why can’t I remember her
face? I’m sure she was there.

PROSE
How did you die Devin? It was a tragedy, was it not?

DEVIN
I remember that I was driving at night.

PROSE
Continue!

DEVIN
I had way too much to drink at that party.

PROSE
Write!

DEVIN
I should have called a taxi to drive us home. But I was too
stubborn and promised her I was okay.

PROSE
Who was with you during that very night? Who did you break
your promise to?

DEVIN
I can’t remember her name.

PROSE
Was it not your love? The one you promised to be with
forever?

DEVIN
Oh, yes it was my wife, Angela. My dear Angela.

PROSE
Write about how you took her life that night and you never
gave her a chance to live because of your mistake. It was
all your fault, Devin.

DEVIN
It was all my fault! It was all my fault!
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PROSE
Yes, it was. You were the one that hit the passing car from
the other lane.

DEVIN
It was all my fault. I should have called a taxi that
night!

PROSE
Do you believe you deserve to live?

DEVIN
No, I deserve nothing but the treatment of this death and
Hell itself!

PROSE
If that is what you wish and have written it in your poem.
It will be done. Now sign it!

DEVIN slowly takes the quill to

the end of the poem and begins
to sign his name. PROSE watches
him but DEVIN stops himself.

PROSE
Why do you stop?

DEVIN
I loved her. My wife. She was my life.

PROSE
Finish your poem, now!

DEVIN
I feel so inspired to write one about her. Can I write one
about her?
PROSE
Why? You are almost done with this one and you will be sent
away from this place. It was what you wanted.

DEVIN
You will send me to Hell.

PROSE
Yes, we have both agreed to that now.
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DEVIN
But, that is not where Angela is. I don’t want to be where
she is not.

PROSE
You deserve to be down under for your crime! You do not
deserve to be with her! You deserve to die –

RHYME
(RHYME’s voice is heard offstage)
Let the poor man write from his heart. Those were the rules
right from the very start.

RHYME enters from the mirror.

PROSE
Why are you still here? I thought I got rid of you for good!
RHYME
Oh, my friend, you must have me completely misunderstood.

PROSE
Leave this place and let him finish his task!

RHYME
I believe he is starting to see right through your defiled
mask!

DEVIN
Rhyme. You are back again?

RHYME
Oh, I wouldn’t leave you alone, my dear friend. Just
remember those days are now in the past. The good times with
your love will forever last.

PROSE
Rhyme is telling you lies. Do not listen to those pitiable
words about love.

RHYME
Just let your heart soar like a mighty flying dove! I have
brought someone for you to see. Maybe you will finally start
to believe.
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DEVIN
Who are you talking about? Who do you have with you?

PROSE
You must stop what you are doing or you will leave me to
rue!

RHYME
Ah ha! The rhyme you made is the only proof I need. His true
poem is starting to flower from a mustard seed.

PROSE
I will end this before it begins!

RHYME
I am afraid that you will never truly win!

PROSE tries to grab RHYME but

misses and falls over onto the
ground. RHYME runs up to DEVIN
and takes the quill away.

RHYME
Now, be free as I take this quill away from your hand! It is
now time to take your true stand.

PROSE
You will die in the hands of Hell.

RHYME
Devin, have you awaken from his dark spell?

DEVIN stands up and goes to PROSE

while PROSE is still on the
ground.

PROSE
Oh, you still choose me, I see.

DEVIN
Shut up you devil; you will not take over me. I may have
done some wrongs in my life. But I am forgiven with grace
and been washed from my strife. Your temptation is great to
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become a great king, but I must see the one who wears my
ring. She will inspire me to write the poem I deserve. I
will not let you be the one to deter. Now, stand up like the
defiled man that you are. And leave from this place; for you
are no scar.

PROSE
You are only just a human. You do not have the power to
stand up against me! I will take you now to the pits of
darkness where you belong!

PROSE grabs onto DEVIN while DEVIN

tries to escape the grasp. RHYME
quickly goes to the mirror and
stands in front of it.

RHYME
Breaking the law and dismissing the Gospel is a crime. You
must feel the wrath from the guardian, Rhyme.

PROSE
(Still holding onto DEVIN)
It is too late. The gates of the Hell-mouth are open now.

RHYME
You have no idea who truly wears the crown. I’ll grant the
one request when the rules go broken. You will be silenced
and your words will go unspoken!

A white glow comes from the mirror

and an angelic figure is seen It
is ANGELA, DEVIN’s wife.

PROSE
You can’t do that! This is not fair!

RHYME
Oh, yes I can. You are the one with the scheming dare!

PROSE lets go of DEVIN and steps

back looking at his hands.

RHYME
We were told not to force as the Master wrote. But I guess
you were the one who decided to jump over that mote. You
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were the one with the terrible lie while I was the one
granted grace from the Most High. “Come to me, all you that
are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give
you rest.”5 Those words of promise and truth should not be
put to the test.

ANGELA enters from the mirror as

if she is an angel.

ANGELA
I am here. Oh, Devin please come with me. I have experienced
nothing but the forgiving and fruitful tree.

DEVIN walks over to ANGELA. DEVIN

embraces her.

DEVIN
Is this for real? Am I really seeing my Angela’s beautiful
face?

ANGELA
You must hurry so you can receive your grace.

DEVIN
Please forgive me for what I did.

ANGELA
You are washed clean; there is nothing else to rid.

DEVIN
(To RHYME)
Quickly now, I need a pen so I can write.

ANGELA
Rhyme, give him the one that is blessed with the holy light.

RHYME
(Pulls out a white quill)
Very well, I knew this one would come in handy.

PROSE
Oh, I will steal it as if it were candy!

PROSE jumps for the white quill in

RHYME’s hands and latches onto it.
5 Matthew 11:28
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RHYME
I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I can see your face is
becoming quite blue. Try to fight and take this quill with
ease. You are nothing more than a hopeless tease!

PROSE
Give it to me now! Wait, why does it hurt me with my grasp
so tight!

RHYME
You are not strong enough to go against the Great Light! You
are only a fool without any sense in your mind. But you will
never know what it is like to be kind. “He gives power to
the faint, and strengthens the powerless.”6 I would advise
to stop making this hopeless.

PROSE
(Struggling to free himself)
Oh, it burns! I cannot let go! Please, have mercy on me -

RHYME
And let it be so!

RHYME throws PROSE through the

mirror and PROSE vanishes out
of sight.

DEVIN
Prose is gone. My mind is so clear. I never thought that
monster could drive out my fear!

RHYME
It was a struggle, I must confess. But I at least got you
out of this crazy mess. Now, write your poem before your
Angela must take her leave. You should be inspired and ready
to ride your bright golden steed!

DEVIN
Thank you, thank you! How can I thank you at the very least!

RHYME
Write your poem and you will be a priest.

6 Isaiah 40:29
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ANGELA
Quickly, my dear. We don’t have that much time.

DEVIN
Yes, of course. Thank you again, my dear Rhyme.

DEVIN walks over to the desk and

sits down. DEVIN sees a
colored piece of paper on the
desk.

DEVIN
Wait, what is this here?

RHYME
Go on and read it. There’s nothing left to fear.

DEVIN
(Reading the paper)
Transformed by love and grace. I’ll follow thee till the
end. Justified by faith; you’ll see me again, my dear
friend.
(Putting the paper down)

RHYME and ANGELA exit as DEVIN is

reading the paper.

(Notices that RHYME and ANGELA are gone)

The lights slowly go down as DEVIN

walks to mirror. Only the mirror
is lit for a moment longer.
Black out.