Giving the Silenced a Voice

Now Jesus was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? — for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Luke 11:14-23

Giving A Voice

They were silenced because of birth
who their parents are, their poverty
hidden away from the mainstream
considered ancient, museum pieces.

Our women have gone missing 
have become chattal and victime
our women who sang to the trees
are now found silenced in the dirt.

We are the voice for the silenced
for those who tyrants refuse to see
the hearts of those whose hearts are stopped
the hands of those who have been mishandled.

Sing out and shout to the four winds
tell stories of the suffering and shackled
healing comes when we can shout truth
when we can voice the shame and loss.