Strange Comfort

I found him
hiding in a dark place
curled up against hard truths

He found strange comfort
here

I saw him close his eyes
lulled to sleep
by soft lies
and echoes
of his nature

He found strange peace
here

He’d been dining with the devil
feasting on pain and anger
gorged yet
never satisfied
he gnawed the bones of disappointment
until there was
nothing left

He found no satisfaction
here

I saw grace dancing
just outside the darkness
singing
come play with me

But asleep
he can not hear
filled with bitterness
drunk with pride
dreaming the dreams of the dead
he sleeps

by Maggie Rayner