Tormented

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1:21-28


Tormented

Many are tormented by spirits
haunted by past deeds old friends
mistakes and indulgences torture
and we have no peace in our hearts.

Many walk the earth half alive
twisted by fear and self loathing
dreading each new encounter
laboring to silence the screams.

Many are lost in the crowd
hiding in plain sight their demons
shuffling along side every one
aching for release from this prison.

Many fend off night's sleep
for sweet dreams turn into danger
heart pounding fear and terrors
haunted by failure and dread.

All of us long for peace
the silencing of nightmares
the quieting of a trembling heart
a firm hand on our fevered brow.

One comes among us for each
to banish the internal storms
to wipe away the past debacles
and to tenderly sing us to sleep.