Wild Acolyte by Jenny Beldame

One Poem Only · Aug 28, 2025 · 1m

Wild Acolyte

Jenny Beldame

If my body is a temple

I am its priest

I will offer it the strongest grains

my grandfathers did not farm the land

for me to starve

I will pluck the ripest, juiciest fruits

and serve them in golden bowls

to this body

my mothers did not give me a full belly

for me to remain barren

For this temple

I will sacrifice the fattest calves

my uncles did not drive the steers

for my bones to require a scaffold

I shall wash this temple in abundant flora

from verdant forests

my aunts did not teach the medicines

for me to fall ill

This temple will glisten with fragrant oils

from…