Make no mistake.
I feel all the breaking apart, 
the smashing of idols, the rapid undoing
of all you thought most precious, most true .
I taste the bitterness in your mouth.
Your river of tears runs fast
through me like a torrent. I smell
the stench of death and hear that
constant ringing of the bells. I see
your life crumbling and know well
what it is to feel buried beneath
the ruin. Do not tell yourself
the lie that no one knows,
that no one cares.

I am here. 
I will bear witness.
I will be the lighthouse
lit from within by that mysterious light
that found me when I passed through 
the waters of destruction
and emerged, gasping 
on my last breath. 
Lay still. Look and see
the light circling
until you know
from within
I am,
you are.

Make no mistake.
I want to run like wildfire to you
and quench your pain, stem the tide,
calm the screams of torment inside. I want 
to put an end to all suffering, extinguish
the mad circling and soothe the burning
places. I would seize the demons
stalking you and toss them into fire,
silence their cruel mockery. Yet,
I know you must make this choice
for your soul from your soul.
I cannot save you. You
must seek salvation
from God alone. 

I am here. 
I will bear witness.
I will be the lighthouse
lit from within by that mysterious light
that found me when I passed through 
the waters of destruction
and emerged gasping 
on my last breath. 
Lay still. Look and see
the light circling
until you know
from within
I am,
you are.