Gerasene contry

Haiku for crazy people

Gerasene country:

among the tombs and the swine,

the broken man roams.

Naked to the world,

cut off from society

he is in torment.

With shackles and chains

they have tried to restrain him.

The man is too strong.

When Jesus arrives

Legion comes to confront him,

bringing his demons.

Whether it’s demons,

mental illness, brain damage;

he still needs healing.

The swine dash headlong

into the lake, carrying

dark spirits with them.

The towns-people came

and found the man clothed and sane,

sitting with Jesus.

Please leave us Jesus,

it’s all too much, we’re frightened!

So he departed.

Let me come with you,

the man begged. No, said Jesus,

Go, declare God’s deeds.

So the man went home

restored; to live, to love, and

to tell his story.

© Ken Rookes 2019