Fig Leaf - 2

Concealed beneath a fig leaf, Nakedness of more than body Nakedness of heart and soul Nakedness of darkened thought Nakedness of the sinful doubt Nakedness of screaming pain They weren’t prepared, When they bit into the fruit… For the fear that could consume They weren’t ready, When they finally knew… Evil was there where they lived Sin was a heart wrenching Penetrating dread, in the shadows Where dusk fell against smooth skin In whispers of silhouettes broken Dreams riding the seas The depths of hopelessness Raining down shame Humiliation and disgrace Degradation that feeds on The fig leaf we hold onto As we struggle to cover up Sins that are as black As the night, only more appalling More frightening Secreted beneath a fig leaf, Vulnerable and exposed To the starkness of shame The stubbornness of pride The sinfulness that stirs minds To listen to the fear, the dread The naked ache that screams For hearts to break It is only a fig leaf Covering the sin Until God whispers grace Across the naked stain Reminding the heart He died to reconcile us To Him, the beginning and end This or That, Vol 11 Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Edward Ibeh April 1, 2022 Title Chosen: Fig Leaf