the devil and I

Why so sore
why so broken
why in the middle of the night
do I mouth these words unspoken
why so sick
why so weak
why so permanently
left behind

the mirror before me
laughs at my despair
the world itself
laughs at my need for repair
I am abused and humbled daily
strip-mined, clear-cut
wasted, neglected
I stopped relying
on my own strength long ago
who can help me now?

for those who see no need
for a God
good for you
but as for me
I need someone to stand between
the devil and I.