They visit us in loneliness
inside our hearts they long to be

they offer answers to our questions
answers that before we couldn't see

they bring all our bad habits up
from the place they dwell
in sorrow and shame

and cause them to touch our souls
and beg for a space that they might claim

They conjure up our fears
and laugh at the frightening
laugh at our tears

In our wanting and greed
within us they awake

to give what they give
and take what they take.

copyright 1997 Pierre Ortega