And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.

The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth.  And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. 

(Revelation 9:5-10)

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For five long months, they held their dread domain,
Not death, but torment, harsh and unrestrained.
Their sting like scorpions’, causing searing pain,
A punishment the strongest couldn’t feign.

Men sought for death, yet found it would not come,
As torment ruled and hope was rendered numb.
Like horses set for battle, fierce and proud,
Their crowns like gold, their faces stern and loud.

With hair like women’s, teeth of lions’ might,
In iron-clad ranks, they charged through endless night.
Wings roared like chariots, thunderous and grim,
Their scorpion tails brought agony within.

Five months of suffering, no mortal rest,
A trial by fire, a harrowing test.