Case of the Unauthorized Exorcists

The Case of the Unauthorized Exorcists

 

We tried to draw you from your nightmare, lass.
Incredibly, you pulled us in with you.
Attending briefly to demonic sass,
We tried to draw you from your nightmare, lass:
Your spirit of oppression sure kicks ass!
He overcame our whole tremendous crew!
We tried to draw you from your nightmare, lass.
Incredibly, you pulled us in with you.

 

–Tom Riley

Cast Out

Cast Out

 

 

“In my name shall they cast out devils.”

 

 

You are hated: of that have no doubt.
Though you do not retreat in a rout,
you are under attack
both in front and in back.
Folks do not want their devils cast out.

 

 

–Tom Riley

Ghost of Wendy

The Ghost of Wendy

 

 

 

 

(for Wendy Cravalho)

 

 

 

 

Jesum novi et Paulum scio: vos autem qui estis?

 

 

 

She used to be a really busy ghost.

On the screen, her extreme activity

Was visible – unstoppable, almost.

We stared, we shook, we blanched, we thrilled to see.

When exorcists showed up, they seemed to be

Flustered, without resolve.  They didn’t stay

Long enough to impress appreciably.

The spirit drove the exorcists away.

And we were secretly relieved.  Today,

Without the help of any exorcist,

The screen is still – and so it means to stay.

Emptiness grips us in a solid fist.

The apparition ends – as instants will.

The ghost of Wendy’s ghost will haunt us still.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

–Tom Riley