Deliverance

People brought to Him… the demon-possessed…and he healed them.  ~ Matt 4:23-24

They call me lunatic.

It’s just that when my

head is splitting with the pain

and fear of—what?—of all

that could be wrong

in all the world—oh no!

Here it comes again—

that dread, that ragged

breath I wish would stop

and let me die in peace!

And now they say a healer

walks along the shore,

and we are going there—

for what? Another devastated

hope? No more!

I let them drag the cart

where I, lying limp,

drag my hand along the grit

and dust of this damned road.

For what? O God, it is too much!

Now he’s in sight

and for the first time

in how long? I do not know—

I rise on one elbow

and then the other

and I know a certain glimmer

—can it be?—of hope!

That man who’s dancing!

I’ve seen him beside the road,

a crumpled husk. Can this

be he, the very same?

But he is changed!

Can I? I shudder at

the thought that after

all this time—these years—

my fears, my pain, my shame

could vanish like the smoke.

I rise—a weakness and a strength

at odds within me as I go

one step, another and another,

so slowly, yet with rising hope.

And now he sees me coming!

He turns, and smiles, holds out

his hand. And oh! The burst

of energy and joy! The sun

streams out its blessing

and I run!

January 6, 2014