The Beast - The Devil's Friend In this poetic text, author Buddy Larrier utilizes his skills of razor-sharp irony to emphasize some grave problems in our "concrete jungle" society. I call it poetic because even though it appears as straight prose, the constant use of rhyme and rhythm gives the impact of poetry. I believe this is intentional.
A few quotations will suffice: - "Even the officers act as if they are in prison". "...if Hell is a place that God has cursed, then the Devil is happy because prison is worse". The Beast deals with our modern Drug Addiction: - "In my house there are many mansions, the prisons and the mental institutions". "My best agents have perfected the use of the Bible and the Gun, the two main instruments which have given me most fun". "This is war, there are two of us, different but equal, myself and the guy on the other side who stands for justice, peace, righteousness, forgiveness, brotherly love and tolerance; yes, He stands for all the things I am against". "If you decide to jump into my saddle, you better ride me well, for once you're on my white horse; cocaine, heroin, or any of my other emotions, I will take you straight to Hell. I have the keys, remember that well".
Buddy Larrier is a "social activist", he obviously believes that our social problems must be tackled in a macro holistic manner; thus, whatever action he takes, he wants the whole world to be involved. The work of such persons needs to be more readily understood by the general society and also more readily accepted.
Glenroy Straughn former Coordinator of 'Citizens Against Narcotics Barbados.
