The Evangelical Universalist Forum

The Beast (A Poem About My Disease Of Addiction)

Studies Poetry
#1

As a recovering drug addict and alcoholic I wrote this poem describing the grip of addiction

The Beast

by Cole

Deep inside my spirit
Lies a demon and a beast
Hiding within the darkness
Preparing for his feast
He gives my body power
And makes my heart so brave
Offering me twisted pleasure
Preparing me for the grave
He speaks to me in silence
Inside my lucid dreams
Within the darkened chambers
Where nothing is what it seems
He sits there in the dungeon
As the sun rises in the east
It’s getting close to breakfast
And time to feed the beast

#2

It sounds so bleak, Cole. It’s a great poem, but I’m sorry you have this to deal with. It’s interesting in particular to me as God just gave me a dream a few mornings ago about something similar – it boiled down to the flesh (Adamic nature) hiding inside me and trying to defile me when I’m not paying attention to what’s going on.

He pointed out that when I discover her, she has to flee from that particular hiding place, but that I need to be diligent to prevent her sneaking back or coming in somewhere else. She’s childish and peevish and spoiled. Feeding her is not to be thought of. There’s only one thing for her, and that is crucifixion. She must be brought to Jesus and given up to death. Like your beast.

#3

Hmmm. Good points Cindy. I like the way you think.

#4

Speaking of . . .

I just remembered that one of the brothers in our group said his dad used to treat addicts who would come to him (he’s an itinerant pastor) by getting them to memorize scripture. At first they had to work hard to memorize a verse, but they were eventually memorizing long passages. He assured us all that this practice restored a lot of broken people and also seemed to repair memory functions and cognitive abilities.

Of course, the healthy food and outdoor work and having a safe place to sleep probably helped a lot, too. But maybe you’d like to give that a shot, brother. I find it does something undefinable for me, too.

Blessings, Cindy

#5

Let me think about it Cindy.