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 Substack