Stigmatized

all i ask for: make me ask for what You ask for.

i never asked for this, my Rose, and yet

You know I’m Yours for the taking.

Your thorns may pierce my inertia,

their nailed fingers create

ruby petals on my naked feet.

i am Your property, and now indeed

You pin our hands together

and let Your banner flow

from my palms.

i am Your princess, heiress of the crown

of life, You offer me with outstretched heart

my bridal diadem, so why should i

not let the coronet that touched Your brows

paint suffering on my head?

floating in Your lily arms

i feel You harbouring the spear

Your lava seal wax touches

a paper so unworthy

to sense that roman signet ring

the past – eternal, timeless – here.

soaring,

speechless,

i am language,

Your red chalk writing,

Teacher, marks me

a blackboard

for Love.

1994