Wild Acolyte by Jenny Beldame

Wild Acolyte Jenny Beldame If my body is a temple I am its priestI will offer it the strongest grainsmy grandfathers did not farm the landfor me to starveI will pluck the ripest, juiciest fruitsand serve them in golden bowlsto this bodymy mothers did not give me a full bellyfor me to remain barrenFor this temple I will sacrifice the fattest calvesmy uncles did not drive the steersfor my bones to require a scaffoldI shall wash this temple in abundant florafrom verdant forestsmy aunts did not teach the medicinesfor me to fall ill This temple will glisten with fragrant oilsfrom the lushest grovesmy fathers did not fell the treesfor me to not feel homeI shall adorn this temple in the finest flax and silksmy grandmothers did not weave their fingers numbcreating wonderful garmentsfor my skin to chap in the wildernessI shall glorify this templefor this body is a testamentof perseverance and triumphthe love and gloryof time eternalMore from Jenny Beldame ↓@jennybeldame on InstagramJenny Beldame on SubstackMentioned in this episode:Write After with One Poem OnlyWrite After is a way to encourage poets to listen and write, and use National Poetry Month to highlight how listening to poetry makes us better poets. I know I write the best when I’m surrounded by beautiful poetry–it’s part of the reason I created this podcast, and I want to encourage others to share this practice. If you want to join: Listen to a poem from the month of April on One Poem Only, then write your own in response. I will pick one for each day to read in June for a special series: One Poem After 🍎🍏 Submissions close May 15.Write After Submissions Form