What’s left of your carcass 

lies in a valley.

I stand watch on the hill.

A proud coyote was sunning

 after he gorged himself on you.  

His fate was sealed 

with only the sound of a thud.  

The crows continue to eat their fill.   

 

For a long time he had not worn clothes; he lived among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted, “What have you to do with me, Jesus? I beg you, do not torment me!”  Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” he replied, “Legion, for we are many” (Luke 8)

Some days are good for us, some days are not.  

Yesterday was a good day, 

A harsh winter had yielded to be beautiful, calm and crisp.  

The Little One and I went to the river to search for flint and other treasures.

Little One mostly digs holes in the sand.  

 

The natives referred to this region as Medicine Country

A place that forces you to come face to face with yourself.

Spirits drift in broad daylight.

The seasons are unforgiving.

 

Soon it was time to go, the gate rang like altar bells. 

They were alerted.  

They huddled tight with ears high and snouts in the air. 

They knew. 

 

We eased toward your brood until you broke for cover.  

A supernatural haze, a blood red trail of dust, obscured you all, 

all except your leader.  

Bigger and stronger and faster is the leader, the coward of the retreat.  

 

St. Joseph, Terror of Demons, greeted you 

as you skidded headlong with your last breath. 

 

Somehow a coward and a tyrant are the same.

Your followers scattered, aimlessly they will wander.

I looked into Little One’s eyes, there was no hint of fear.  

Yes you are protected and safe.  

 

Commander of Legion, 

you are the heart I have longed to pierce.

 

Now only the crows to scatter your remnants.

 

Jesus said, “Return home and recount what God has done for you.” The man went off and proclaimed throughout the whole town what Jesus had done for him.

 

[Image by Shauna Schmitmeyer]