A Herd of Swine

When Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demoniacs coming out of the tombs met him. They were so fierce that no one could pass that way. Suddenly they shouted, “What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” Now a large herd of swine was feeding at some distance from them. The demons begged him, “If you cast us out, send us into the herd of swine.” And he said to them, “Go!” So they came out and entered the swine; and suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and perished in the water. The swineherds ran off, and on going into the town, they told the whole story about what had happened to the demoniacs. Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus; and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their neighborhood. Matthew 8:28-34

A Herd of Swine

The shame of losing the herd
loss of sustinance and livelihood
perishing into the frigid waters
demons destroying the living.

We are embedded in the herd
thinking we are safe in numbers
yet evil creeps in so quickly
all can be lost so suddenly.

One's health at the mercy of evil
swallowed up by  clawing addiction
one's life in the hands of the divine
wrapped up in the desire to heal.

Let us move from the cliff's edge
and seek the silence of spirit
inviting the joy to return to us
setting the table with expectant hope.