i woke in the place
where you play god
naked upon white
marble sheets
stigmata roses
blooming crimson
in my palms
across my breasts
and sex
fragrant garland
of my sins
left to adorn
this shrine
the holy spirit
dripped slowly
into my eyes
from where you
impaled me
with the crown
of thorns
placed upon my brow
crystallizing the visions
taste of spiced honey
when it fell upon
my torn lips
parched tongue
you had roared
‘blasphemy!’
accused me
of taking
your sacred name
in vain
when I declared
that you were not
my true god
merely an idol
a token
you tried to
baptize me
in the fire
cleanse me
of my affliction
but you are the one
smoldering in
dark corners
all rage and ash
while I resurrect
with the dawn
of the sun

© 2018 Revised 2021 Christine Elizabeth Ray – All Rights Reserved

Originally published by the Sudden Denouement Literary Collective
Image courtesy of Pinterest