Listen

Description

Wild Acolyte

Jenny Beldame

If my body is a temple
I am its priest
I will offer it the strongest grains
my grandfathers did not farm the land
for me to starve

I will pluck the ripest, juiciest fruits
and serve them in golden bowls
to this body
my mothers did not give me a full belly
for me to remain barren

For this temple
I will sacrifice the fattest calves
my uncles did not drive the steers
for my bones to require a scaffold

I shall wash this temple in abundant flora
from verdant forests
my aunts did not teach the medicines
for me to fall ill

This temple will glisten with fragrant oils
from the lushest groves
my fathers did not fell the trees
for me to not feel home

I shall adorn this temple in the finest flax and silks
my grandmothers did not weave their fingers numb
creating wonderful garments
for my skin to chap in the wilderness

I shall glorify this temple
for this body is a testament
of perseverance and triumph
the love and glory
of time eternal

More from Jenny Beldame ↓

Mentioned in this episode:

Join the mailing list to be the first to know when OPO submissions open ⬇️

🖋️ Read My Newsletter: Free Flow 🖋️