NIGHT DEMONS
The warhorse pulls the plough.
The battles have long been over.
He’s a wife and family now, just like so many others.
All through the day he works and plays,
Bends and toils, laughs and prays
But laughter flies with evening skies
When the demons come at night.
Deep in sleep, there’s no escape
From bombs and cries and guns
Watching, vigilant, wide-awake
Weary when the morning comes.
No more broken bones or cigarette burns
No more bruises mark the blows.
She walked out, never returned
Her unborn child helped her go.
For five years she’s breathed fresh air
Her child plays without care
But she’ll lock the door when fears grow sore
And the demons come at night.
In her dreams, his mocking laugh
Cuts reckless as a knife.
Will the hauntings never pass
When demons come at night.
He was made the fool for fifteen years
His work a daily torment
Of mocking slights, whispered jeers
Each day a lonely gauntlet
And though he’s left them far behind,
A place of peace is hard to find.
Feelings churn and memories burn
When the demons come at night.
Awake, asleep, it’s all the same
The night time is a test
Block out voices, ugly names
Longing just for rest.
The warhorse pulls the plough.
The battles may seem over.
But the memories haunt them now, like so,so many others.
All through the day they works and plays,
Bends and toils, laughs and prays
But laughter flies with evening skies
When the demons come at night.
©Linda Bandelier 2012
Copyright number WLSX-I9LL-XJ7N-DFBX
The warhorse pulls the plough.
The battles have long been over.
He’s a wife and family now, just like so many others.
All through the day he works and plays,
Bends and toils, laughs and prays
But laughter flies with evening skies
When the demons come at night.
Deep in sleep, there’s no escape
From bombs and cries and guns
Watching, vigilant, wide-awake
Weary when the morning comes.
No more broken bones or cigarette burns
No more bruises mark the blows.
She walked out, never returned
Her unborn child helped her go.
For five years she’s breathed fresh air
Her child plays without care
But she’ll lock the door when fears grow sore
And the demons come at night.
In her dreams, his mocking laugh
Cuts reckless as a knife.
Will the hauntings never pass
When demons come at night.
He was made the fool for fifteen years
His work a daily torment
Of mocking slights, whispered jeers
Each day a lonely gauntlet
And though he’s left them far behind,
A place of peace is hard to find.
Feelings churn and memories burn
When the demons come at night.
Awake, asleep, it’s all the same
The night time is a test
Block out voices, ugly names
Longing just for rest.
The warhorse pulls the plough.
The battles may seem over.
But the memories haunt them now, like so,so many others.
All through the day they works and plays,
Bends and toils, laughs and prays
But laughter flies with evening skies
When the demons come at night.
©Linda Bandelier 2012
Copyright number WLSX-I9LL-XJ7N-DFBX
NIGHT DEMONS was inspired by a friend who struggles with Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD). It is for all those courageous individuals who simply long for a good night's sleep and freedom from the memories of trauma, abuse and bullying.
In 2012 after a hiatus in my song writing of more than a decade due to work commitments, motherhood, bereavements, I needed an occasion to start writing again. That occasion was the Edinburgh Folk Club's Annual Songwriting Competition of 2012. Night Demons made its public debut that night. It didn't place with the judges but it placed 3rd in the audience vote.
In 2012 after a hiatus in my song writing of more than a decade due to work commitments, motherhood, bereavements, I needed an occasion to start writing again. That occasion was the Edinburgh Folk Club's Annual Songwriting Competition of 2012. Night Demons made its public debut that night. It didn't place with the judges but it placed 3rd in the audience vote.