Multi-tool

She carved in my bones
Before I could comprehend  
My body was a temple
But she never mentioned 
How it was crafted from stolen stone —  
Every wall lined with ancient scripture
Shame plastered over the cracks
Commandments hung like blackout curtains

Every hymn was a rallying cry:  
Kneel, obey, don’t you dare question
Go on and bury that doubt
But
Did she count on my defiance 

I was labeled a vessel--
But never the storm 
Her god demanded sacrifice 
So she chiseled away my essence  
To fit her fragile frame
My hips; forbidden gateways,
My tongue: an unholy scroll of secrets 

If this is a temple 
Then set it on fire  
Let the flames scream louder than my demons 
My body is a temple —  
But it belongs to me
And I refuse to apologize again
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace